The death toll in today’s firing in Gaur has climbed to 25 after police informed that thirteen more bodies were also discovered in nearby Hajmaniya and Mudhbaliya areas.

Earlier, reports had said at least 12 people including two women had been killed in a shootout between the Maoists and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) activists in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, Wednesday afternoon. Some unconfirmed reports say that Jwala Singh faction of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) has owned up responsibility for the shootout.

Nearly three dozen others were injured in the shootout. Some of the injured persons are said to be a critical condition.

Police officials said they were trying to confirm the identity of those killed in the incident.

Both the Maoist-affiliated Madhesi Mukti Morcha and the MJF had planned their mass meetings in the area at the same time. Maoist lawmaker Prabhu Shah and MJF chairman Upendra Yadav were to address their respective mass meetings.

The local administration has announced curfew from 2:45 pm today till 4 am Thursday in Gaur after the violence.

OHCHR condemns violence

Meanwhile, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) has condemned the violence between supporters of the MFJ and the Maoists in Gaur. OHCHR-Nepal also confirmed the death of 12 persons in the clash.

The UN rights body said quoting sources at the Gaur Hospital that some victims died as a result of head injuries caused by beatings with bamboo batons. Some of those admitted at the hospital are with serious head injuries. OHCHR said its human rights officers were in Gaur to investigate the incidents, including the causes of death.

OHCHR representative to Nepal Lena Sundh said, “I call on the leaders of the Forum and CPN-M at central and local levels to immediately take steps to end such unacceptable violence, and to ensure that differences are resolved through peaceful dialogue instead.”

“OHCHR also urges authorities to take all necessary steps to investigate the killings and other violent incidents and to hold accountable anyone found to be responsible,” she further said.