Nepal Witnesses Deadly Religious Violence; Police Open Fire to Restore Order

Sunsari, Nepal : A major communal clash in Nepal’s Sunsari district of Koshi Province, close to the India–Nepal border near Bihar, has left one person dead and more than 12 others, including security personnel, injured, triggering an indefinite curfew in several parts of the district.

According to local authorities, the violence erupted on Sunday night in the Kaptanganj area during separate religious gatherings organised by two different communities. One group was participating in the Bol Bam pilgrimage, while members of another community were conducting their own religious programme nearby.Officials said tensions escalated over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags, leading to heated arguments that quickly spiralled into stone-pelting, clashes and large-scale violence.

As the situation deteriorated, angry mobs allegedly vandalised shops, houses, vehicles, public property and other establishments in the area, creating panic among local residents. Security forces rushed to the spot and initially attempted to disperse the crowd using tear gas and warning shots. However, with the violence continuing to intensify, police later opened fire to regain control.During the firing, 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta sustained fatal injuries and died. More than 12 people, including security personnel, were injured in the unrest, with some reportedly in serious condition and undergoing treatment.

In response to the violence, the district administration has imposed an indefinite curfew in five market areas, including Kaptanganj and parts of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, to prevent further escalation. Heavy security deployment has been made across the affected areas, and authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading rumours.

The incident has heightened tensions in the border region, prompting officials to closely monitor the situation. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact sequence of events and identify those responsible for instigating the violence.

The clash serves as a stark reminder of how disputes over religious processions and public events can rapidly escalate into serious law-and-order situations, underscoring the importance of dialogue, restraint and communal harmony.