The seven opposition political parties have announced protests on Friday against the killing of 12 local residents of Nagarkot, Bhaktapur district, last night, by a frenzied army soldier.

The seven parties announced the protest program in their mass gathering, following protest rallies, at New Baneshwor Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people took to the streets and burned tires in protests this afternoon against the killing of 12 innocent villagers.

Bhaktapur city remained tense throughout the day due to sporadic protests. Vehicular traffic along the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur route was blocked for hours while shops in main thoroughfares were closed down.

Reports said family members and relatives of those killing in the incident staged angry protests in front of Bhaktapur Hospital where the dead bodies were kept.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched an investigation over the tragic incident, saying that it has taken the incident seriously.

Issuing a press statement today, the rights body said its officials visited the incident site and the Birendra Army Hospital in Chhauni where 16 injured villagers have been undergoing treatment this afternoon.