At least one person was killed and nearly two dozen others were injured after violent clashes broke out between two groups in Nepal's Sunsari district early Monday, prompting authorities to impose an indefinite curfew in several areas and deploy additional security personnel to restore law and order.
The violence erupted in Kaptanganj Bazaar of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 in the southern part of Sunsari district. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to widespread vandalism, arson, and confrontations between protesters and security forces.
In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire imposed an indefinite curfew in five market areas of southern Sunsari. The curfew came into effect at 7:00 a.m. on Monday and will remain in force until further notice.
Under the curfew order, all forms of public gatherings, processions, demonstrations, meetings, and other public activities have been prohibited in the affected areas. Authorities said the restrictions were necessary to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of local residents.
According to local authorities, the deceased has been identified as 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta. Officials said he sustained fatal gunshot injuries after police opened fire while attempting to bring the violent situation under control. The circumstances surrounding the firing are expected to be examined as part of the official investigation.
Nearly two dozen people, including both protesters and security personnel, were injured during the clashes. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at nearby medical facilities. Authorities have not yet released a detailed breakdown of the number of civilians and police personnel among the injured.
Police said the violence stemmed from a dispute that began late Sunday night over the use of a DJ system during a "Bolbom" pilgrimage procession scheduled to proceed towards the Saptakoshi River on Monday. According to officials, members of one group objected to the loud music being played during the preparations for the religious procession, citing concerns over excessive noise.
What initially began as a verbal disagreement soon escalated into a physical confrontation between the two groups. As tensions mounted, large crowds gathered in the area, and the situation quickly spiraled into violence.
During the unrest, protesters allegedly vandalized and set fire to several houses, medical facilities, vehicles, shops, and other public and private property in and around Kaptanganj Bazaar. The violence caused extensive damage, although authorities have not yet released an official assessment of the losses.
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Police said security personnel initially attempted to disperse the crowd through non-lethal means. Tear gas shells were fired, and warning shots were discharged into the air after repeated appeals for the crowd to disperse reportedly went unheeded. However, officials stated that the mob continued with acts of arson and vandalism, forcing police to open fire to regain control of the situation.
Following the incident, a heavy deployment of police and other security forces has been made across Kaptanganj and surrounding localities. Security personnel are conducting patrols to prevent any fresh outbreaks of violence and to reassure residents affected by the unrest.
Local authorities said efforts are underway to restore normalcy, while investigations have been launched to determine the sequence of events that led to the clash. Officials are also working to identify those responsible for the violence, property damage, and attacks on public infrastructure.
The administration has appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and refrain from spreading rumours or inflammatory content that could further aggravate the situation. Authorities have indicated that the curfew will remain in force until they are satisfied that peace has been fully restored and there is no further threat to public safety.
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