Nepal’s local administration in Rautahat has declared an indefinite curfew in Gaur Municipality. This follows a violent communal clash that erupted late Saturday. Security forces now remain on high alert. The unrest comes at a sensitive time as Nepal prepares for its upcoming general elections on March 5. Authorities are working quickly to stabilize the region and prevent further escalations.
Clashes Erupt Over Wedding Procession Dispute
The violence reportedly began in Ward 6, Sabgadh, during a local wedding procession. A heated argument between members of two different communities quickly turned into a physical confrontation. Participants engaged in heavy stone-pelting, causing injuries to several individuals.
Although both sides signed a six-point peace agreement on Friday evening, the truce failed. Conflict resumed on Saturday morning with renewed intensity. During the chaos, rioters set a vehicle on fire, prompting the District Administration Office to take drastic action. Consequently, Chief District Officer Dinesh Sagar Bhusal announced the immediate imposition of a curfew.
Strict Restrictions and Security Deployment
The curfew covers a significant area to ensure public safety. It extends from Mudbalwa Gate in the east to the Lalbakaiya Dam in the west. Additionally, it spans from the Bam Canal in the north to the Gaur Customs Office in the south. All public gatherings, rallies, and processions are currently prohibited.
“Security personnel are monitoring the situation closely. We must ensure the violence does not spread further,” stated the local administration office.
Large numbers of personnel from the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force are patrolling the streets. While the administration briefly relaxed the curfew for two hours on Sunday morning, it was reinstated at 8:30 am. Officials have urged the public to exercise restraint and avoid any provocative actions.
Impact on Upcoming Nepal General Elections
This communal unrest poses a significant challenge for the interim government. The general elections scheduled for March 5 are the first since the major Gen-Z protests last year. Those protests eventually led to the fall of the K.P. Sharma Oli-led coalition. Currently, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki leads the interim administration.
Voters are set to elect 275 members to the House of Representatives. However, communal tensions in the Terai region could impact voter turnout and polling safety. High-level security meetings are occurring in Kathmandu to review the situation in Rautahat. Analysts worry that similar localized disputes could be exploited for political gain during the campaign period.
As per the latest report the curfew was lifted.
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