The government has formed a three-member panel to investigate the recent incident in Biruwaguthi Village Development Committee of Parsa district and submit a report within a week.

The panel is headed by joint secretary at the Ministry of Home Tika Dutta  Niraula. Minister for Home Khum Bahadur Khadka informed the House of  Representatives, Lower House of Parliament, Monday that the government  would take necessary action based on the report of the panel.

A clash between pro and anti-Maoist supporters in Biruwaguthi village of Parsa district close to Nepal-India border, on September 8 and 9, resulted in one person killed and several others injured. The incident has taken a communal turn.

Some anti-Maoist supporters, mostly of Indian origin, from Birgunj  attacked the houses of Maoist supporters, most of whom happen to be  migrants from hilly areas, to revenge the attack and threat of Maoist supporters some time ago. This is part of the move of local people to counter the Maoist threat.

A communal clash between Terai people and migrants from hilly areas has  also taken place in Birgunj. An eyewitness said that some Madhise (Terai)  people attacked a couple of Pahadiaya (people from mountainous regions)  today also. Following the incidents, Birgunj and its surrounding areas has  been tense Sunday and Monday.

Most of the shops in the main market areas of Birgunj are closed today, according to information received from Birgunj.  Home Minister Khadka said that the government is committed to maintain law  and order. The Minister informed that security has been tightened in Birgunj to prevent any untoward incidents. In this connection, police have arrested seven people, he said.

Earlier, in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, lawmakers asked the Home Minister to give details of the Parsa incident and take  necessary measures to check such incidents.