The Armed Police have stated that Bijay Shah, 45, of Koshi Rural Municipality-1, who was shot near the Armed Police Base Camp BOP, Laukahi, on January 1, 2026, died in a crossfire.
During an attempt by the Armed Police to control him on the charge of sugar smuggling, the smugglers fired shots on the morning of January 1, and Bijay Shah of Koshi Rural Municipality-1 died from the gunfire fired by the Armed Police, SP Nirmal Kumar Thapa of the Armed Police Office, Sunsari, told INSEC representatives.
SP Thapa stated that while trying to control the smugglers who were smuggling sugar from India on the said morning, the smugglers fired at the police, after which the Armed Police fired five rounds of bullets.
Locals, however, have accused the Armed Police of killing Shah by firing and are protesting by placing the body on the Inaruwa-Itahari road section of the East-West Highway in Laukahi, demanding justice and action against the guilty.
Ward Chair Sovit Narayan Yadav of Koshi Rural Municipality-1 stated that the police demanded a bribe of Rs. 500 from Shah on the charge of smuggling sugar from India, and after he did not pay the amount, the Armed Police fired and killed him.
After placing the body on the East-West Highway in protest, the police responded with aerial firing and tear gas.