AlQa'dah 18, 1436, September 02, 2015, SPA -- Nepalese police on Tuesday shot and killed at least five demonstrators during protests against a new constitutions that will divide Nepal into federal districts, according to UPI. The BBC quoted police as saying they were forced to open fire after being attacked by gun- and knife-wielding members of the Madhesi ethnic community at demonstrations in the town of Birgunj, where the protesters allegedly vandalized police and government buildings. The Himalayan Times identified the deceased as Dharma Raj Singh, 30, Bhola Sah, 24, Dinanath Sah, 27, and Suman Kalwar, whose age was not specified. Police shot another demonstrator, Hifajat Miya, at a protest in the town of Kalaiya, just east of Birgunj. Both towns are in the south of the country, near the border with India, which shares cultural ties with the Madhesi community. According to the BBC, at least 20 people have been killed in recent protests opposing a draft constitution that would divide Nepal into seven federal districts. Minority groups such as the Madhesi fear such borders would allow for discrimination and less autonomy. Tuesday's deaths come after hundreds of colorfully-dressed LGBT activists attended an Aug. 30 rally in Kathmandu demanding the rights of Nepal's sexual minorities be enshrined in the new constitution.
