Sunsari Update: Siraha Protesters Demand PM’s Resignation

Protests spread across several parts of Siraha on Tuesday over the death of a young man in police firing at Kaptanganj in Dewanganj Rural Municipality–3, Sunsari. Demonstrators blocked the East-West Highway, demanding an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible for the shooting.

The unrest has moved beyond the site of the fatal incident. For protesters in Siraha, the case has become a wider question of how police use force during public disorder and whether those decisions are investigated with transparency.

Highway blocked at Choharwa

Local residents gathered at Purano Chowk Choharwa in Golbazar Municipality–8 and stopped traffic along the East-West Highway for around half an hour.

They demanded that the government make the full facts of the Sunsari incident public, prosecute the personnel who opened fire and bring an end to what they described as police repression. Some demonstrators also chanted slogans calling for the prime minister’s resignation.

Siraha District Police Chief Superintendent Basudev Pathak said the highway was reopened after discussions with the protesting side. Police said the situation had returned to normal.

The protest at Choharwa followed similar demonstrations in the district a day earlier.

On Monday, protesters obstructed the East-West Highway in the Bandipur area of Karjanha Municipality. Demonstrations were also held that evening at Golpark in Golbazar and Kasaha Chowk in Dhangadhimai Municipality–8.

Death of Om Prakash Mehta at centre of protests

The protests began after 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta of Dewanganj–3 was killed by a police bullet at Kaptanganj.

Police had opened fire while attempting to control a clash between two groups. Mehta’s death prompted anger in Sunsari and has since led to protest programmes in other districts.

His family and local residents have repeatedly demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances of the firing and the role of the police personnel deployed at the scene.

The case has also placed renewed attention on crowd-control practices within the security forces. At issue is not only why live fire was used, but how responsibility will be established when police action during a confrontation results in the loss of life.

Authorities have said an investigation process is moving forward. Protesters, however, continue to demand that the inquiry be impartial, its findings be made public and those found responsible face legal action.