Violence mars Nepal’s path to March 5 elections, with Birgunj now under lockdown following a Sunday evening skirmish between rival youth groups. Parsa district swiftly responded Monday 9:45 AM with an indefinite curfew spanning Birgunj Metropolitan City, prioritizing public safety amid rising threats.
CDO Bhola Dahal outlined the perimeter: from east bypass road westward to Sirsiya River, northward to Gandak Chowk, southward to Shankaracharya Gate. Prohibitions clamp down on congregations, rallies, protests, assemblies, and dharnas.
Humanitarian and operational waivers permit journalists, student examinees and faculty, essential service vehicles, tourists, rights activists, embassy staff, and ticket-holding aviators. This calibrated enforcement seeks minimal disruption to vital functions.
Parallel disturbances rocked Rautahat’s Gaur Saturday, where a communal wedding dispute in Subgadh Ward 6 exploded into stone-throwing and arson. Friday’s hard-won six-point accord crumbled by Saturday 9 AM, enforcing a 1 PM curfew that endures.
These flare-ups signal precarious stability in election-bound Nepal, particularly the Terai. Enhanced security deployments and leader appeals for restraint aim to contain fallout. The coming week will prove pivotal in safeguarding ballot integrity against communal sparks.