Kathmandu, Nov 2 (IANS): Police in Nepal on Monday shot dead an Indian national during protests in the the country's Birgunj city close to the Indian border, officials said.

The deceased was identified as Asish Kumar Ram, 24. He belonged to Raxaul in Bihar.

Nepal's Home Secretary Surya Silwal confirmed that a protester had been killed in a clash with police.

The man died after being caught in police firing near the Shankaracharya Gate, the main gateway to Nepal from India.

He sustained bullet injuries on the head and was declared dead at the Narayani Hospital.

Its medical director Imamul Haq said Ram was dead even before reaching the hospital.

The police reportedly fired dozens of bullets and tear gas after being heavily pelted with stones by protesters near the Indian border.

Several protesters were injured by rubber bullets fired by the security forces, a police official said.

The Birgunj-Raxaul border point has come under the control of protesters, one account said.

Later, when the police chased them away, they reached the bridge that links Nepal and India.

They again stoned Nepal's security forces from Indian territory, witnesses said.

All the major Nepal-India entry points have been tense for the past one and a half months after the promulgation of a new constitution in the Himalayan nation triggered protests in areas close to the Indian border.

The Madhesh-based political parties in Nepal are unhappy over the new constitution and the concept of federalism.

They have been demonstrating at the border points, choking the supply of essential supplies from India and causing widespread shortages.

Birgunj is a key point from where essential commodities and fuel from India enter Nepal.

Around 50 people have been killed in Nepal since the agitation began in Nepal's southern plains.