The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has started inquiry into the killing of six local residents of Belbari, Morang district, by the army men on Wednesday as well as the killing and alleged rape of a local woman.

The Eastern Divisional Headquarters of the RNA in Itahari today informed that an inquiry board has been set up under Brigadier General Pawan Pandey to investigate the killing of six people who were protesting in front of the security base camp at Belbari Wednesday afternoon against the killing of Sapana Gurung, 22, “after gang-rape”, reports said.

Officials at the Divisional Headquarters said the commander of the security base camp, Captain Prahlad Magar, has been suspended from his post and that Pandey’s team has started inquiry into the incident.

Reports said Magar gave orders to the soldiers to open fire on the crowd of hundreds of people, killing six persons on the spot and injuring over five dozen others.

The inured persons have been undergoing treatment at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan. Of the six victims, only two persons – Tekendra Choudhary and Sunita Rishidev – have been identified so far, reports added.

Officials also conceded that Gurung, who was killed by army men on Tuesday night, was innocent and that investigation was underway over the alleged rape.

Meanwhile, the RNA’s inquiry team inspected the incident site and gathered information from eyewitnesses. According to reports, the locals said the army opened fire without provocation from the protesting locals.

The probe team is set to submit its finding on Friday.

The Ministry of Defence in a statement yesterday said the army men opened fire in self-defence after the crowd turned violent. nepalnews.com mk Apr 27 06