Amnesty International (AI) has expressed fear over increase in violence in coming days and urged the government to rein in the security forces.

“Rather than justifying the use of excessive force, the government should be ensuring that the police and army act within the law to protect people’s lives,” a press statement issued by the AI quoted Purna Sen, Asia-Pacific Director at Amnesty International as saying.

“Restricting peaceful demonstrations by ban orders and curfews and arbitrarily arresting hundreds of people only enflames an already volatile situation,” she added.

The statement further claimed that the government security forces have neither maintained maximum restraint nor can they be called ‘silent spectators’, adding, members of the security forces were seen beating, kicking and throwing stones at protestors.

“Some human rights activists who have attempted to intervene in cases of police brutality have themselves been subjected to assault and harassment,” the statement adds.

“The government must order immediate and impartial investigations into all allegations of the misuse of force or firearms by the security forces,” said Sen, adding, “Victims and their families deserve justice and compensation.” nepalnews.com pb Apr 11 06