Conceding that force was used ‘inappropriately’ against the innocent villagers of Imiliya in Rauteli Bichuwa VDC, Kanchanpur district, the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has initiated actions against officials involved the incident.

Reports quoting sources at the RNA’s far-western divisional headquarters said some army officials of the army barrack based in Arjuni area, including a Captain and a Lieutenant, have been taken under control after an inquiry board found them guilty in the manhandling of over 100 Imiliya locals inside the barrack on Saturday.

The Court of Inquiry Board chaired by Col Ram Krishna Adhikari of No. 24 Brigade is looking into the action to be taken against the officials involved in the incident.

Following media reports about the manhandling of innocent locals, the RNA had on Sunday constituted the inquiry board.

Army officials who were in Imiliya to inquire about the killing of an army soldier by suspected Maoists last Wednesday had physically assaulted the locals, mostly elderly people, women and children, after taking them to the barrack.