Authorities in Nepal’s troubled Rautahat district, hugging the Indian border, rolled out a curfew across parts of Gaur Saturday to quell rising tensions from a wedding-related brawl. The measure addresses fears of widespread disorder in this economically challenged area.
Per the DAO order, the lockdown—from 1 PM—covers a precise perimeter: Mudbalwa Gate eastward limit, Lalbakaiya Dam westward, Bam Canal northward, Gaur Customs southward. Gatherings of any kind are off-limits.
CDO Dinesh Sagar Bhusal provided the backstory: Thursday evening saw a marriage procession’s music spark outrage among a religious group. ‘Objections led to heated exchanges, then mutual stone-throwing,’ he recounted.
Even after Friday’s ceasefire, morning arson escalated matters anew. ‘Curfew was essential for safety,’ Bhusal noted. Swarms of police—both civil and armed—now dominate streets, with appeals for composure issued widely.
‘Situation stabilized since enforcement,’ the CDO updated.
Rautahat’s chronicle of violence, tied to poverty and identity politics, frames the event. Election proximity on March 5 amplifies concerns over manipulation. ‘We’re tracking potential threats meticulously,’ Bhusal disclosed.
In Nepal’s Terai, such sparks reveal underlying fractures. The robust security response signals commitment to preempting broader fallout, prioritizing electoral integrity and community peace.