Sunsari incident exposes high-handedness in mob control

Repeated use of lethal force in crowd control reflects gaps in training, equipment and accountability.

Sunday’s incident in Dewangunj, Sunsari, has once again exposed the high-handedness of Nepali security forces in crowd management. A young man was killed in police firing, and nine others have sustained bullet injuries. Most of them, including the deceased, Om Prakash Mehta, were shot above the waist. As per the accounts of eyewitnesses, the security personnel opened fire indiscriminately.