One killed in fresh Nepal clashes

KATHMANDU, Jan 27 (Reuters) One person was killed and many wounded today when police opened fire on protesters in southeast Nepal, taking to six the number of people killed in protests by ethnic Madhesi people, an official said.

The incident took place in Kalaiya town, 75 km southeast of Kathmandu, the official who declined to be named, told Reuters from Bara district of which Kalaiya is the capital.

''Police had to open fire after the protesters pelted stones at them,'' he said without giving details.

Witnesses said six protesters were also wounded and had been rushed to a nearby hospital.

Ethnic clashes have rocked Nepal since last week as the Madhesi people protested an interim constitution that paved the way for the Maoists to join an interim parliament.

They say the new interim constitution does not give appropriate representation to the southern plains, home to nearly 50 percent of Nepal's 26 million people.

Last week five people were killed in similar protests in the eastern town of Lahan.

REUTERS YA RK2001