ITAHARI, Jan 1: The situation has turned tense in Laukahi of Koshi Rural Municipality–1, Sunsari, after a city safari driver was killed in firing by the Armed Police Force (APF) at around 1 AM on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as local city safari driver Bijay Shah, about 44.
Following the incident, locals set fire to an APF duty post in Laukahi Bazaar. Since early morning, protesters have placed Shah’s body on the road and staged demonstrations, bringing traffic along the East–West Highway to a standstill.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Chandra Khadka of the Sunsari District Police Office said the administration has adopted high alert measures as the protest lacks clear leadership. He added that efforts to calm the situation have been difficult as protesters have refused to listen even to representatives willing to engage in talks on behalf of the victim’s family.
Pedestrian dies in City Safari-hit
Although discussions were held in Laukahi to normalize the situation, they ended without conclusion. Sunsari Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire said preparations are underway for talks between the victim’s side and the administration at the District Administration Office.
The incident occurred about 500 meters north of the Indian border, where Shah was shot while transporting sugar, detergent, and tobacco products in his city safari.
APF DIG Kumar Neuupane of the Koshi Province Headquarters in Pakali, Sunsari, claimed that three city safaris were bringing goods from India and that APF personnel came under fire during the operation, prompting retaliatory firing. He said two of the three drivers managed to flee with the goods.
“After the APF came under fire from among the three safari drivers, retaliatory firing resulted in the death of one person,” DIG Neupane said.
Following the incident, police recovered two large-caliber cartridge cases from the scene.
