UN urges probe into Nepal clashes

GENEVA: The United Nations on Tuesday called for an independent probe into deadly unrest in Nepal sparked by a controversial new constitution, with 50 killed since violence first erupted in August.
Four died in the latest clashes, which broke out late Saturday in the southeastern district of Saptari, pitting police against demonstrators from the Madhesi ethnic minority who say the constitution introduced in September leaves them politically marginalised.
"There is a clear need for an independent investigation to establish the facts and to bring all perpetrators of violence to justice," UN rights agency spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva.
She said the United Nations had confirmation of at least four people being killed in clashes over the weekend, after initial reports of two dead.
The UN rights agency has also received reports of protesters at the weekend throwing stones at police, who responded with live ammunition.
Separately, the UN has received allegations that police stormed the Sagarmatha hospital where victims of the unrest were being treated and assaulted patients and hospital staff, Shamdasani said.