The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that all 37 people killed by the army at Kotwada of Kalikot district on February 22, 2002 were innocent and unarmed laborers.

An investigation report prepared by NHRC after a nine-month-long investigation said all 37 people were executed after they were taken under control by the security forces, not killed in the crossfire as claimed by the army.

The report released on Sunday added that the people were involved in the construction of the local airport.

The report claimed that there is no sufficient evidence to support the statement of the Nepal Army that they were killed in crossfire and the Maoists involved the labourers to conduct various trainings.

The report added that the act of the army in Kotwada violated the Constitution as well as other national and international humanitarians laws as the security forces shot dead all the labourers rather than taking them into control for legal action.

The NHRC has recommended to the government to provide appropriate compensation to the families of victims and to take stern action against security personnel involved in the extra-judicial killings.

The NHRC also asked the government to provide due compensation to the local people for the damage caused in their properties during the incident.