1 killed, 2 injured as Nepal police opens firing near border area in Bihar's Sitamarhi

According to an HT report, the clash took place at the Lalbandi-Janki Nagar border in Pipra Parsain panchayat under Sonebarsha police station of the district. The place of firing fall under Nepal.

According to the report, the victim Vikesh Rai (25) died on the spot while Umesh Ram and Uday Thakur received bullet injuries in the firing when they were working in an agricultural land.

The injured were rushed to Sitamarhi Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Jitendra Kumar, the additional director general of police (headquarters), has confirmed the death and injuries, the HT report said.

Vikesh Rai's father Nageshwar Rai said his agricultural land falls under Narayanpur in Nepal where his son was working, it added.

Nepal Police has also detained another person Lagan Rai, the report said.

Times Now, citing local reports, said one Shatrughan Rai was going to his in-law's place located in a border village in Nepal, today morning when he entered into an argument with Nepali cops manning the border outpost. The cops thrashed the man after which the villagers from the nearby areas rushed to the spot and created a ruckus following which the firing took place.

According to the report, villagers said the Nepali cops fired 17 rounds of bullets.

On May 17, Nepal police had fired blank rounds to disperse dozens of Indians trying to cross the border, the HT report said, adding that it is not clear if they were farmers.

Nepal and India share 1,850-kilometre (1,150-mile) of open border through which thousands of people from both sides visit each other's territory for work and socialising with family and friends.

The country had closed the border with India on March 22 due to coronavirus pandemic.