The situation in Nepal, India’s neighboring country, is rapidly deteriorating, and violent clashes between different religious communities have shaken the entire country. Three people have lost their lives in the bloody violence and arson so far, leading to tensions running high in several key districts bordering India. Given the gravity of the situation, the administration has extended an indefinite curfew in the affected areas. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balen Shah himself has taken the lead, calling for a high-level all-party meeting and strongly appealing to citizens to maintain peace and restraint.
Indefinite curfew extended in four districts, tension in Terai region
The situation in Nepal’s southern Terai region remains highly volatile. According to the latest official orders, an indefinite curfew has been extended in Saptari district, bordering India, bringing the total number of districts under restrictions to four. Earlier, strict curfews were also imposed in Sunsari, Dhanusha, and Siraha districts. According to administrative sources, violent protesters in the Golbazar area created a huge ruckus, setting a shopping mall on fire, forcing the administration to take strict measures to control the crowd and restore law and order.
How did the violence erupt? From a festival dispute to police firing.
The tensions began in the Kaptanganj area of Dewanganj Rural Municipality in Sunsari district, where a bloody clash broke out between two religious communities over a minor issue during a festival. Police had to open fire to disperse the angry mob and control the situation, killing one person on the spot and seriously injuring over a dozen others, including security personnel. The violence then spread to the Madhesh region, where a teenager was killed in Siraha district, and another injured person succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police constable Narada Periyar was also reportedly shot in the clash.
Prime Minister Balen Shah’s appeal to the nation, calls for an all-party meeting
Amid the worsening situation, Prime Minister Balen Shah addressed the nation via television and appealed to the countrymen to maintain peace. PM Shah clarified that the government will conduct an impartial and transparent investigation into the violence and that the perpetrators responsible will be brought to justice. An emergency all-party meeting has been called in Kathmandu to immediately control the situation. The Prime Minister also specifically urged citizens to stay away from rumors, misinformation, and hate messages spread through social media and other platforms and to maintain mutual harmony in the country.