Kathmandu, May 9 (Inditop) Three people were killed and five injured when a policeman fired indiscriminately in southern Nepal, apparently after a property dispute, police said Saturday.

Bindu Yadav, a policeman serving in Siraha district in the turbulent Terai plains, was absconding after the indiscriminate firing Friday night that killed three people in his hometown.

Yadav had gone home to neighbouring Saptari district on leave when he became embroiled in a dispute over property. While villagers were trying to arbitrate, he began firing and took to his heels after the carnage.

The shooting was reminiscent of an earlier massacre four years ago when a drunk soldier picked up a quarrel with villagers and opened fire at a fair in tourist town Nagarkot, killing 11 people before he was gunned down by fellow soldiers.

Rights organisations have expressed growing concern at the prevailing culture of impunity in Nepal, saying it encourages lawlessness and violence.