Nepal extends curfew to fourth district as communal tensions persist

Authorities in Nepal have imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of Saptari district, making it the fourth district in the country's southern Terai region to face such restrictions amid escalating communal tensions. The District Administration Office issued the order for areas under Rajbiraj municipality early Friday, citing protests linked to the recent communal violence in neighbouring Sunsari district.

The curfew came into effect at 8 a.m. local time as a precautionary measure after groups of demonstrators took to the streets. Tensions have persisted across several districts since clashes erupted in Sunsari over the weekend, prompting authorities to deploy security forces and impose prohibitory orders to restore order.

The unrest traces back to Sunday, July 26, when members of two religious communities clashed over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags during separate celebrations. A verbal altercation escalated into violence, forcing security personnel to intervene. One person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured when police opened fire to disperse the clashing groups.

The violence subsequently spread to neighbouring districts. In Siraha, part of Madhesh province, a teenager died in clashes that erupted on Thursday. Additionally, a person injured in the Sunsari violence succumbed to injuries in Koshi province, raising the death toll to three, according to officials.

With the latest curfew order, Sunsari, Dhanusha, Siraha, and Saptari districts are now under curfew in varying degrees. Meanwhile, the District Security Committee in the bordering district of Sarlahi has made it mandatory for people entering Nepal from India to carry valid identity documents, a move aimed at checking the movement of individuals amid the unrest.

In a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Prime Minister Balendra Shah appealed for calm and harmony, assuring citizens that the government would ensure a neutral and transparent investigation into the recent violence and hold those responsible accountable. He emphasised the importance of maintaining communal peace and urged citizens to refrain from spreading rumours.

In a separate incident, police constable Narad Pariyar sustained a bullet injury after being shot by an unidentified assailant in Lahan municipality of Siraha district on Thursday night. He was hit in the right thigh and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Biratnagar, police said. The attack underscores the volatile situation in the region as security forces work to contain the unrest.

The Terai region, which shares a long and porous border with India, has witnessed periodic communal tensions, often triggered by cultural and religious differences. The current unrest underscores the need for dialogue and community engagement to address underlying grievances and prevent further escalation. Local leaders and civil society members have called for restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes.

As authorities continue their efforts to restore normalcy, the situation remains fluid. Security has been stepped up in affected areas, and officials are monitoring the situation closely. The government's commitment to a fair investigation is seen as a positive step toward rebuilding public confidence and ensuring lasting peace in the region.