Kathmandu: A clash between two groups and the ensuing tension in Nepal’s Sunsari district’s Dewanganj Municipality has resulted in massive material damage.
According to preliminary details gathered by the District Police Office, Sunsari, 112 houses and other physical structures and 61 vehicles were damaged in the violence.
According to the police, the dispute started after a group of Muslims attacked Hindu Kanwariyas on the Bolbam Yatra on the evening of July 25.
The dispute quickly escalated into a clash between the two groups, leading to vandalism, arson, and violent protests in various areas of Sunsari district, including Kaptanganj.
According to police, of the 112 homes and other structures affected by vandalism and arson, 23 were concrete houses, while 25 of the 34 kutcha houses were completely destroyed.
In addition, 50 homes, two temples, five other structures, and a brick kiln were damaged by vandalism and arson. 61 vehicles were also damaged during the violence, including 44 two-wheelers and five four-wheelers.
According to police, during the tension that followed the incident, protesters set fire to and vandalised 52 motorcycles and scooters, eight City Safaris and four four-wheelers at various places in Sunsari.
District Police Chief SP Pushparaj Malla said that the process of gathering detailed information about the damage caused by the violence is still underway. The process of receiving complaints and verifying the available details is ongoing. Therefore, the final damage figure may rise further.
Local youths Omprakash Mehta, Jaiprakash Mehta and Ravindra Mehta were killed in the firing during the violent incident that took place on the evening of July 25 in the Naya Hatia area of Kaptanganj.
A total of 40 people were injured in the incident. Of these, 12 are receiving treatment in various hospitals, while 25 have returned home after treatment.
The tenure of the committee formed to investigate the incident has also been extended. The Home Ministry on Thursday extended the tenure of the inquiry committee headed by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa by 15 days.
Earlier, the Home Ministry had constituted the committee on July 26, 2026 and given it one week’s time for investigation.
The committee will now conduct a detailed investigation into the causes of the violence, the events leading up to the shooting, the loss of life and property, and the subsequent tensions that arose. The government is expected to take further action based on the committee’s report.