Nepal district bordering Bihar rocked by communal violence, at least one killed

A dispute over loudspeakers and religious flags during separate religious events spiralled into communal violence in Nepal's Sunsari district bordering the Indian state of Nepal, that has left at least one person dead and more than a dozen injured. Authorities have imposed curfews and prohibitory orders as tensions persist.

In Short

• Clashes began after disputes over loudspeakers and religious flags escalated
• More than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured
• Two injured people remain serious, according to police overseeing the situation

At least one person was killed, and several others were injured in a communal clash that took place on Sunday in Nepal's Sunsari district, prompting authorities to impose indefinite restrictive orders in parts of the area from Monday.

Sunsari, in southeastern Nepal, shares a border with the Indian state of Bihar and serves as a key transit and trade corridor between the two countries through crossings such as the Koshi Barrage. On the Indian side, it borders Bihar's Supaul and Araria districts.

The curfew remained in force for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in parts of Sunsari district as tensions remained high after the clashes on Saturday. The District Administration Office (DAO), Sunsari, said curfew and prohibitory orders would remain in effect from 7 am to 7 pm in several areas.

The restrictions were first imposed on Monday after violence broke out on Sunday in the Kaptangunj area. Police said one person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured when police opened fire to disperse clashing groups after a dispute during celebrations by two religious communities. Two of the injured remain in serious condition, according to police.

According to a notice issued by the DAO, restrictions have been imposed across the entire Harinagar and Devgunj rural municipalities, while curfew is in force in five market areas of Harinagar, Bhutaha, Kaptangunj, Ghuski and Devangunj.

The administration has prohibited rallies, demonstrations, public meetings, sit-ins and gatherings of more than four people in the affected areas. Curfew was lifted along the East-West Highway passing through Sunsari district from 7 am to 3 pm to facilitate the movement of travellers, and was reimposed at 3 pm.

COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BROKE OUT AFTER CLASHES OVER LOUDSPEAKERS, RELIGIOUS FLAGS

The violence erupted on Sunday night in Kaptanganj, in Devgunj Rural Municipality, after members of two religious communities holding separate events clashed over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags, police said.

A verbal altercation between the groups quickly escalated into violence, with protesters allegedly vandalising and setting fire to houses, medical facilities, vehicles, and other public and private property in the Kaptanganj Bazaar area, prompting security forces to intervene.

After attempts to bring the situation under control using tear gas and warning shots failed, security forces opened fire, killing 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta. More than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured in the clashes, according to police.

CURFEW REMAINS IN PLACE IN SEVERAL AREAS ON TUESDAY

Following Sunday's communal clashes, authorities imposed sweeping restrictions across parts of Sunsari district. On Tuesday, the curfew was lifted in Dewanganj Rural Municipality, but prohibitory orders banning gatherings of more than five people remained in force in both Dewanganj and Harinagar rural municipalities. A full curfew, however, continued in the market areas of Harinagar, Bhutaha, Kaptanganj, Ghuski and Dewanganj.

The administration has also barred rallies, demonstrations, public meetings and sit-ins in the affected areas. While restrictions in Dewanganj were eased, authorities maintained a heavy security presence and said further decisions would depend on an assessment of the law and order situation.

Chief District Officer Ishowari Prasad Aryal on Monday convened a meeting of representatives of political parties and local stakeholders to review the security situation and explore measures to ease tensions.

Acting Chief District Officer Poshan Lamichhane said demonstrations have continued in various parts of the district despite the prohibitory orders imposed by the local administration.

"We are holding discussions with representatives of various political parties and civil society members to maintain peace and restore normalcy in the district," he said.

The Sunsari violence is not an isolated incident. In recent months, Nepal's southern districts along the Indian border have witnessed several episodes of communal tension, including in Parsa, Rautahat and Dhanusha.

In January this year, demonstrators protesting alleged anti-Hindu content shared on social media vandalised a mosque in Dhanusha district. The violence spilt over into neighbouring Parsa distict's Birgunj town, where demonstrators clashed with police, prompting authorities to fire tear gas and detain several people.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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