Madhesi protester succumbs to bullet injuries

A protester, who was injured in police firing during Madhesis' protest in Nepal over the controversial new Constitution, on Sunday succumbed to his injuries.

50-year-old Shekh Mairudin, who had received bullet injuries during a clash with police on October 14 in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, died while undergoing treatment at Birgunj-based Narayani Sub regional Hospital, police said.

Mairudin was discharged from a hospital in Kathmandu one and a half months ago after his health gradually improved. However, when he complained of pain after a few days, he was again admitted to the hospital in Bigunj.

With this, the number of deaths in Madhesis' protest in Gaur has reached three. Nearly 50 people, including a dozen policemen, were killed in Madhesis' agitation against the new Constitution since August.
Madhesis, who share strong cultural and family bonds with Indians, have imposed a general strike in much of southern Nepal, causing a shortage of fuel and other essential goods.

Madhesi leaders have submitted an 11-point demand to the Nepal government to end their protests over "discriminatory" nature of the Constitution.  Their demands included re-demarcation of the provinces, fixing of electoral constituencies on the basis of population and proportional representation.