31. Jul 2006
Nepal-Tibet highway closed after woman’s death
(Indianews) The highway connecting northern Nepal with Tibet was closed as enraged traders, truckdrivers and locals stepped up protests after a car accident involving Chinese officials led to police shooting dead a 30-year-old woman. The Tatopani checkpoint in Nepal on the Nepal-Tibet border became the centre of public protests when a car belonging to a Chinese government official hit two Nepalis. As the two injured were rushed to a hospital in Kathmandu valley, angry locals said the policemen at the customs checkpoint did not take any action against the driver of the vehicle involved and released him after consultations with Chinese officials. As the locals stormed the checkpoint, demanding action against the driver, the policemen stationed there opened fire, killing a local resident. This death fuelled further disruptions with protesters blocking the highway with boulders and burning tyres. Dozens of trucks bound for Tibet were stranded at the border following the incident. Nepal’s home ministry said it had sent an official to the border area to investigate the incident.