Tensions escalated in the border area for some time on Thursday after autorickshaw driver Vijay Sah was killed in gunfire from the Armed Police Force in Koshi Rural Municipality-1, Sunsari.

This incident, which is said to have taken place during the course of controlling smuggling, has raised serious questions about the use of force by security personnel, illegal trade in the border area, and the role of security agencies. After different claims were made by the Armed Police Force, the victim and the locals regarding this incident, the investigation committee will soon make public what the truth is. But let's understand what happened in seven questions:

According to the Armed Police Force, when they tried to stop three rickshaws carrying illegal goods entering Nepal from the Indian border, they started running away. The Armed Police Force claims that the smugglers fired first during the chase. Armed Police Force DIG Kumar Neupane claims that the security personnel felt unsafe and fired back in self-defense.

However, there is no basis to confirm that the smugglers fired. Since weapons have not been recovered from the smugglers, it cannot be confirmed that they fired. Therefore, whether there was a need to fire or not has become a matter of investigation. Locals have accused the armed forces of using excessive force in an impulsive manner under the pretext of controlling goods beyond normal limits.

What happened after the death?

Vijay Sah, 45, of Koshi Rural Municipality-1, died on the spot after being shot by an armed man. Sah was an auto rickshaw driver. Locals say that his rickshaw was used for hire to carry goods. Therefore, he does not appear to be a professional smuggler. He was just a porter. The locals became angry after the news of Sah's death spread. They not only protested by placing the body on the road, but also blocked the Laukahi section of the East-West Highway for a few hours.

What happened after the locals' protest?

The protesters vandalized the Armed Police Force's bivouac and even attacked the Border Out Post (BOP). The Armed Police Force and Nepal Police had to fire tear gas to control the situation.

After the situation became tense, an all-party meeting was held at the District Administration Office and a five-point agreement was reached. Then the body was handed over for post-mortem and the situation gradually returned to normal.

What is the statement of the Armed Police Force about this incident?

Armed Police Force Barah Bahini Pakali DIG Kumar Neupane has claimed that the smugglers first opened fire and then returned fire in self-defense, causing the accident. According to DIG Neupane, goods including sugar were brought from India in a rickshaw and auto at midnight. ‘When the jawans stationed at the checkpoint tried to stop them, both of them ran away and when they reached the other side, the auto driver opened fire,’ DIG Neupane said, ‘After that, our jawans also returned fire.’

What is the victim’s statement about the incident?

Relatives of the deceased and locals have rejected the claim of the Armed Police Force. They allege that Sah was killed after the transaction was not settled.

Locals have serious allegations that smuggling is carried out under the protection of security forces and that the shooting may have occurred after the money was not paid. This is why a fair investigation and action against the culprits have been demanded.

Has the situation come under control?

The situation has gradually come under control after a meeting held at the initiative of the district administration. The protest has stopped after an agreement was reached on the formation of an investigation committee, the process of relief and compensation, and employment and facilitation for the deceased's family.