Nepal police open fire on protesters demanding new state in proposed constitution, killing 5

A Nepalese Hindu activist shouts slogans as they try to enter a restricted area near the Nepalese Constituent Assembly Hall during a protest in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. Police in southern Nepal opened fire Tuesday on members of an ethnic group demanding a new state in a draft constitution. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) (The Associated Press)

Nepalese policewomen try to stop a Hindu activist as they block a road and try to enter a restricted area near the Nepalese Constituent Assembly Hall during a protest in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. Police in southern Nepal opened fire Tuesday on members of an ethnic group demanding a new state in a draft constitution. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) (The Associated Press)

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Officials say police in southern Nepal have opened fire on members of an ethnic group demanding a new state in a draft constitution, killing five people in two separate towns.

Police official Kamal Singh Bam said Tuesday that protesters in Birgunj town were violating a curfew order and attempting to attack the police station when officers opened fire, killing four. Another protester was killed in Kalaiya town.

The ethnic Madhesi protesters want a state named after their group in the area where they live.

There have been a number of recent protests, some violent, by various groups demanding statehood in the draft constitution, which proposes that Nepal be split into at least seven federal states.