People have taken to the streets to protest against Prime Minister Balendra—also known as Balen Shah—and Home Minister Sudan Gurung. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balen Shah met with leaders of political parties and lawmakers from Madhesh Province on Friday.
नेपाल में कांवड़ यात्रा के दौरान सांप्रदायिक हिंसा के बाद हालात बेकाबू, चार जिलों में कर्फ्यू, PM बालेन शाह के देश में बवाल
The situation has been spiraling out of control following the deaths of three people in clashes with the police during communal violence in Nepal’s Sunsari district on Sunday. People have taken to the streets in continuous protest. In light of the situation, authorities imposed a curfew in parts of Saptari district, which borders India. Curfews had previously been imposed in Sunsari, Siraha, and Dhanusha.
People are protesting against Prime Minister Balendra—also known as Balen—Shah and Home Minister Sudan Gurung. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balen Shah met with political party leaders and lawmakers from Madhesh Province on Friday. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Shah invited the leaders to discuss the tensions that originated in Sunsari district and subsequently spread to several other districts in Madhesh.
Balen Shah initiates political dialogue amidst criticism
The meeting also addressed measures to normalize the situation and restore communal harmony. During the meeting, the Prime Minister sought the leaders’ opinions and suggestions on maintaining law and order in Madhesh and preventing such incidents in the future. The participating leaders stated that they offered suggestions to resolve the issues arising in several Terai districts.
Earlier in the day, Balendra Shah held a separate meeting with lawmakers representing the Madhesh region. Most of these lawmakers belonged to his own party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The meeting focused on recent events in the region and the ensuing situation. Shah initiated this political dialogue with regional leaders amidst criticism regarding alleged inaction in calming the situation in Madhesh Province. Through this move, he acknowledged that these leaders are key stakeholders in resolving the crisis.
Violence erupted in Madhesh Province on July 26
Violence broke out in Madhesh Province on July 26 following a clash between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities in the Kaptanganj area of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Sunsari district. During the ‘Bol Bam’ festival in the month of Sawan, Hindu devotees were carrying holy water from the Koshi Barrage towards Kaptanganj Chowk while playing loud music on a DJ system.
According to the police, some members of the Muslim community objected to the loud music. An argument ensued between the two groups. The dispute escalated rapidly; initially, there was a scuffle, and the situation soon turned violent. During the incident, a young man named Om Prakash Mehta was shot dead. Subsequently, two other individuals died in police firing.
Peace rallies held in various areas
Following this incident, protests and acts of violence began to emerge in other parts of Madhesh, particularly in the Siraha district. The administration imposed a curfew in parts of Siraha and Janakpurdham (in Dhanusha district). Meanwhile, prohibitory orders were enforced in the Parsa district, which borders India. The curfew remained in effect in these districts on Friday as well.
On the other hand, rallies were organized in various parts of the country calling for the maintenance of communal harmony. Opposition parties, including those associated with the Madhesh province, criticized Prime Minister Balendra Shah. They alleged that he failed to address the nation in a timely manner and did not take the necessary steps to normalize the situation. Instead of the Prime Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, the president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister attended the meeting, a move that drew strong displeasure from the opposition parties.
Large-scale deployment of the Nepali Army
Meanwhile, RSP President Rabi Lamichhane held a meeting with Hindu and Muslim religious leaders to discuss measures for restoring peace. Following the meeting with Lamichhane, leaders from various religious organizations issued a joint appeal. They urged the public to remain calm and refrain from any provocative or hate-inducing activities. They also emphasized the need to avoid any actions that could disrupt social harmony. According to The Kathmandu Post, communal tension that erupted following a clash in Sunsari has spread to several districts in the Terai region. Stringent security measures have been implemented across four districts. Authorities imposed a curfew in Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, and Dhanusha starting Thursday night; meanwhile, restrictions have been put in place in Parsa as violence spread from the eastern district of Sunsari. Large numbers of personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army have been deployed to contain the unrest. The Nepali Army has also been authorized to use live ammunition if necessary while enforcing the curfew.
Balen Shah appeals for peace
Amid the prevailing situation, Balen Shah appealed to the citizens on Thursday to maintain peace. In an address to the nation, Shah stated that the government is treating the situation with the utmost seriousness. He also expressed deep condolences over the deaths of three individuals—Jai Prakash Mehta, Om Prakash Mehta, and Ganesh Yadav—who were killed in clashes with the police during the violence. Prime Minister Shah assured the public that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the incidents in Sunsari, Siraha, and other affected districts following a fair and transparent investigation. Balen Shah noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs has already constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the incidents. Additionally, health officials have been instructed to…
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