Nepal: Police open fire during protest in Mahendranagar (west), killing one (August 25)

Event

On August 25, protest rallies were staged across Nepal to demand government and police action over the recent rape and murder cases. In Kathmandu, 1,500 people staged a silent protest amidst heavy police presence. In western Mahendranagar city, one person was killed and dozens injured when the police opened fire on people accusing the police of protecting a suspect responsible for the crime. An indefinite curfew has been imposed in the area following the incident (close to the border with India's Uttarakhand state).

Context

According to recently released police data, the number of reported rape cases has doubled in Nepal in 2017 compared to 2016.

Advice

Individuals present in Nepal are advised to stay away from public gatherings, rallies, marches and protests, as they may turn violent. Please adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.