Nepal's Sunsari stays under curfew after communal clash kills one

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Jul 28, 2026 15:24 IST

Curfew remained in force for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in parts of Nepal's Sunsari district as tension continued after communal violence left one person dead and several others injured. The District Administration Office (DAO), Sunsari, said curfew and prohibitory orders would remain in effect from 7 am to 7 pm in several areas.

The restrictions were first imposed on Monday after violence broke out on Sunday in the Kaptangunj area. Police said one person was killed and more than a dozen people, including security personnel, were injured when police opened fire to disperse clashing groups after a dispute during celebrations by two religious communities. Two of the injured remain in serious condition, according to police.

According to a notice issued by the DAO, restrictions have been imposed across the entire Harinagar and Devgunj rural municipalities, while curfew is in force in five market areas of Harinagar, Bhutaha, Kaptangunj, Ghuski and Devangunj. The administration has prohibited rallies, demonstrations, public meetings, sit-ins and gatherings of more than four people in the affected areas. Curfew was lifted along the East-West Highway passing through Sunsari district from 7 am to 3 pm to facilitate the movement of travellers, and was reimposed at 3 pm.

The violence broke out after members of two religious communities, who were holding separate programmes, clashed over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags. A verbal altercation then escalated into violence, prompting security personnel to intervene. Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Ishowari Prasad Aryal convened a meeting of representatives of political parties and local stakeholders to review the security situation and explore measures to ease tensions.

Acting Chief District Officer Poshan Lamichhane said demonstrations have continued in various parts of the district despite the prohibitory orders imposed by the local administration. "We are holding discussions with representatives of various political parties and civil society members to maintain peace and restore normalcy in the district," he said. The District Administration Office in neighbouring Morang has also prohibited the use of DJs at religious, cultural and social functions across the district in view of the sensitive situation following the violence in Sunsari.

With curfew and restrictions still in place, the administration in Sunsari has continued efforts to contain tensions after the communal violence, while nearby Morang has also taken preventive steps in response to the situation.

With PTI Inputs

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