Nepal Enforces Curfew Amid Rising Communal Tensions: What You Need to Know

Curfew Imposed in Saptari District

In response to escalating protests linked to recent communal violence in Sunsari, Nepalese officials have declared an indefinite curfew in specific areas of Saptari district, located in the Madhesh province near the Indian border.

Both President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Balendra Shah have voiced their concerns regarding the unrest, urging citizens to remain calm and united.

According to police reports, eight individuals have been detained in Madhesh province for allegedly inciting communal discord, with five arrests made in Siraha and three in Dhanusha.

The unrest has been ongoing in various districts since the violent clashes in Sunsari over the weekend, prompting authorities to implement curfews and increase security measures.

On Friday, Prime Minister Shah consulted with senior political leaders from Madhesh province to address the situation.

Notable Madhesi leaders, including Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra Mahato, participated in these discussions.

The Prime Minister also met with ruling party Members of Parliament from Madhesh to discuss the welfare of the Madhesi community and ongoing development projects.

The District Administration Office in Saptari initiated the curfew in Rajbiraj municipality starting at 8 am as a precautionary measure following protests related to the communal violence.

This latest curfew order adds to the existing restrictions in three other districts: Sunsari, Dhanusha, and Siraha, all situated in Nepal's southern Terai region, where tensions have already resulted in three fatalities.

The violence erupted when two religious communities clashed over loudspeaker usage and religious flags during their respective celebrations, leading to police intervention.

On Thursday, the violence spread to Madhesh province, resulting in the death of a teenager in Siraha district, while another individual succumbed to injuries from the Sunsari clashes.

In a related development, the District Security Committee in Sarlahi has mandated that individuals entering Nepal from across the border must present valid identification, as stated by Assistant Chief District Officer Hom Prasad Ghimire.

In a statement, President Paudel called on all political factions, civil organizations, and citizens to uphold peace and national unity.

Prime Minister Shah, in a televised address, promised a fair investigation into the violence and accountability for those responsible.

In a separate incident, a police constable was injured by gunfire from an unidentified shooter in Lahan municipality, Siraha district, on Thursday night. Constable Narad Pariyar is currently receiving treatment for a thigh injury at a hospital in Biratnagar.