Kathmandu, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nepalese authorities on Thursday imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of Siraha district as tensions following recent communal clashes in neighbouring Sunsari district threatened to spread across the southern Madhesh province.
The District Administration Office (DAO) in Siraha enforced the curfew from 2 p.m. local time until further notice, citing concerns that protests or riots could disrupt public peace and security. Both Siraha and Sunsari share a border with the Indian state of Bihar.
Siraha Chief District Officer Surendra Paudel said the decision was taken on the recommendation of the District Security Committee after assessing the prevailing law and order situation.
The curfew covers the area from Kasaha Khola in Golbazar Municipality-3 along the East-West Highway to Choharwa Chowk in the west, and from Sainik Chowk in the north to the vicinity of Rampratap Ramprasad Tamang Janata Multiple Campus in the south. Authorities have warned that violations of the curfew order will invite legal action.
The restrictions come days after communal clashes erupted on July 26 in the Kaptanganj area of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 in Sunsari district. According to police, the violence began when members of the Muslim community objected to loud DJ music being played by Hindu devotees carrying holy water for the Bolbam festival during the holy month of Sawan.
The dispute reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation involving large groups from both communities armed with sticks, stones, bamboo poles and iron rods. During police efforts to control the violence, Om Prakash Mehta was killed after being struck by police gunfire.
Although police say the security situation has improved, officials have retained the curfew in Sunsari, citing the possibility of fresh violence.
“The situation remains vulnerable. That’s why the curfew remains in place,” Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhu Prasad Dhakal, spokesperson for the Madhesh Province Police Office, told IANS.
The curfew in Sunsari remains in force across Inaruwa Municipality, Duhabi Municipality, Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality, Koshi Rural Municipality, Gadhi Rural Municipality, Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Harinagar Rural Municipality and Barju Rural Municipality. Restrictions also continue in designated areas of Itahari Sub-metropolitan City and Ramdhuni Municipality along the Mahendra Highway.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s National Security Council (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, reviewed the security situation during a meeting on Thursday and decided to strengthen coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders to preserve communal harmony, maintain public order and safeguard national unity.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the Council noted that the situation in Sunsari was gradually returning to normal due to coordinated efforts by political parties, local communities and security agencies. It also resolved to enhance preparedness to prevent similar incidents and improve coordination for disaster response, including search, rescue and relief operations.
Separately, Nepal’s Kantipur newspaper reported, citing a confidential report submitted by the Armed Police Force (APF) three years ago, that the force had warned of organised attempts to incite religious and ethnic divisions in the Tarai region. The report reportedly recommended urgent political and administrative intervention, but its findings received little attention from the country’s leadership.
FOLLOW NOW
