SUNSARI: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Lal Bikram Thapa, who represents Sunsari Constituency No. 2, has strongly condemned the fatal police shooting during Sunday’s violence in Dewanganj, saying there was no justification for the use of lethal force and calling for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Thapa has remained in Sunsari since the violence erupted and visited injured victims receiving treatment at hospital. He also stayed in Dewanganj until late Sunday evening, where he met local police officials to gather information about the incident.
Following the violence, Thapa said he instructed police to immediately search nearby fields, ditches and other areas to ensure that no injured victims had been left unattended.
One person was killed in the incident after being struck by police gunfire, while two others remain in critical condition. Several more youths also sustained gunshot injuries.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Thapa said security forces should never have resorted to opening fire.
“Ten people were targeted. One was shot in the chest, another in the waist. One young man has already died and two others are in critical condition. It is an extremely heartbreaking scene,” Thapa said.
He said he had spent hours speaking with police officers at different levels before the violence, including personnel on the ground, to assess the security situation. According to Thapa, none of the officers indicated that the situation was likely to deteriorate to the point where lethal force would be required.
“I personally spoke with officers at the local level because they often have a clearer understanding of the ground reality. I cross-checked the information I was receiving, but no one suggested that the situation would escalate into such a tragedy,” he said.
Thapa added that he had repeatedly sought updates from district security officials. He claimed that the Chief District Officer told him he was unaware of any such developments, while the district police chief did not answer his phone.
“There was absolutely no situation that justified opening fire. We are responsible public representatives, and if tensions had begun to escalate, coordination and dialogue should have been the first response,” he said.
The lawmaker accused security personnel of using excessive force against civilians, saying many of the victims had been shot in the upper body.
“My fellow citizens were shot in the chest. Young people were fired upon directly. This should never have happened. It is deeply regrettable,” he said.
Thapa also urged authorities to exercise restraint in handling the aftermath of the violence, warning that the incident could have far-reaching consequences, particularly among Nepal’s youth.
“A new government has just taken office. Incidents like this, especially when young people are shot, can have nationwide repercussions. We must take this very seriously,” he said.
He further called for an immediate and transparent investigation, saying he feared there could still be injured victims who had not yet been located.
“My concern is that some people may have fallen into ditches or hidden while injured after the shooting. Search teams must immediately ensure that no wounded person has been left behind,” Thapa said.
