Curfew Extended in Nepal's Sunsari District After One Killed, 22 Injured

An indefinite curfew remains in force in Nepal's Sunsari district, near the India-Nepal border, following communal violence that left one person dead and 22 others injured earlier this week. The district, located along Nepal's border with Bihar, serves as an important transit and commercial corridor between the two countries. Authorities have significantly tightened security in the area as investigations into the incident continue and efforts are underway to restore normalcy.

According to police, the violence erupted during a religious procession after a dispute over the use of loud music and religious flags escalated into clashes between two communities. As the situation deteriorated, security personnel intervened to disperse the crowd, during which police opened fire. One person was killed in the firing, while 22 others, including 13 security personnel, sustained injuries during the unrest.

The Nepal government has expressed regret over the incident and announced relief measures for those affected. Prime Minister Balendra 'Balen' Shah appealed for peace and urged people to maintain communal harmony. The government has announced compensation of Nepali Rupees (NRs) 2,00,000 for the family of the deceased, while those injured in the violence will receive NRs 50,000 each towards medical treatment, according to Sunsari Assistant Chief District Officer Poshan Lamichhane.

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The incident has also sparked criticism over the police response, with human rights groups and security experts questioning whether excessive force was used to control the violence. In response, the Nepal government has constituted an inquiry panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the police action. The committee has been directed to submit its findings within one week as authorities examine the events that led to the fatality and injuries.

Amid mounting public pressure, the government has also ordered administrative changes in the district. Sunsari Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire, Koshi Province Police Chief Deputy Inspector General Binod Ghimire, and Sunsari Police Chief Keshav Kumar have been transferred from their posts. Protesters had demanded action against both the district administration and senior police officials, alleging shortcomings in the handling of the communal disturbances.

The government has reiterated its commitment to taking strict legal action against those responsible for the violence while ensuring appropriate compensation for the victims. With the curfew continuing and additional security personnel deployed across sensitive areas, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further unrest and restore peace in the border district.

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