At least 20 people, mostly security personnel, were reported killed as deadly violence broke out in Nepal's Kailali district on Monday.
According to local media reports, the dead included as many as 17 security personnel. Some of whom were even "burned alive", The Himalayan Times reported.
The agitators were staging a protest in support of their demand for an autonomous Tharuhat province in Nepal, when the violence broke out. Supporters of the separatist Tharuhat movement reportedly clashed with the police, attacking them with weapons like axes, knives and spears.
About 10,000 people breached prohibitory orders imposed in Tikapur area of Kailali district, about 650 km west of the Nepal's capital, from 11 am to 5 pm on Monday, The Kathmandu Post reported.
Among the security officials killed were those from the Nepal police force and the Armed Police Force.
The situation continued to be tense and the local authorities have reportedly sought army deployment in the area.
Several Nepali citizens reacted with shock at the violence on social media -
Burning a Superintendent of Police to death by unruly mob in #Kailali is not a protest agnst federalism demarcation.It is a horrific crime.
— Sagar Ghimire (@nepocean) August 24, 2015
Shocked and saddened to hear the news from #Kailali. This politics of hatred and violence must come to an end. — Bidhya (@cbidhya) August 24, 2015
What is happening in #Kailali has left me speechless.
— Neena (@neenapandey) August 24, 2015
