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KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal asked India on Thursday to investigate a shooting by border guards that has wounded at least four people and to punish those involved.
Nepal's foreign ministry said in a statement that Indian border guards entered Hairharpur village in southeast Nepal and fired at Nepalese civilians Wednesday morning.
The Indian embassy in Nepal says Indian border guards fired at smugglers in self-defense inside Indian territory.
The statement said Nepal has expressed grave concern over the entry and use of firearms against unarmed Nepalese civilians.
"While urging the Indian authorities to check such actions in future, the Ministry has requested for an early investigation into the incident and strong action against those involved," the statement said.
Relations between the two South Asian nations have been at a low point in recent months as an ethnic minority with ties to India protests Nepal's new constitution. The protesters have blocked border crossings, causing shortages of fuel and other essentials usually imported from India.
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