The local administration in Nepal’s Parsa district enforced a curfew in parts of Birgunj due to security concerns arising from tensions between Hindu and Muslim groups in the Shripur area. Similar clashes had previously occurred in Gaur, the district headquarters of Rautahat, escalating community tensions. These incidents happened just before the scheduled House of Representatives elections on March 5.
The District Administration Office delineated the curfew boundaries within Birgunj Bypass in the east, Sirsiya River in the west, Gandak Chowk in the north, and Shankaracharya Gate in the south. The curfew, effective from 9:45 am on Monday until further notice, prohibits gatherings, processions, demonstrations, and assemblies within the specified areas. Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal highlighted that the curfew aimed to prevent further escalation following clashes in the Shripur area.
Local police revealed that the curfew was prompted by a dispute over road parking that risked sparking religious tensions. A conflict arose when a Muslim man’s vehicle was obstructed by motorcycles parked by Hindu youths in Shripur, leading to potential Hindu-Muslim confrontation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Hari Bahadur Basnet stated that insulting chants exchanged between the groups heightened the situation, necessitating the curfew to restore order.
Birgunj, a crucial trade point bordering India’s Raxaul town, serves as a vital entry point for Nepal’s imports and exports. The city, housing Hindu and Muslim communities, has witnessed intermittent religious tensions. Earlier, a curfew was imposed in response to mosque vandalism in Dhanusha district to avert religious unrest amid Muslim protests. In Gaur city, clashes erupted between Hindu and Muslim groups during a Hindu wedding procession conflicting with Muslim religious rituals during Ramadan, emphasizing the need for preventive measures to avoid broader conflicts.
