KATHMANDU, Jan 6: The District Administration Office (DAO) in Parsa extended the curfew in Birgunj until 8 AM on Tuesday to maintain peace following the unrest sparked by escalating religious tensions.
Under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028 BS, all movement and public activities—including gatherings, processions, demonstrations, meetings, and sit-ins—are prohibited within the curfew zone. The restricted area spans from the eastern bypass road to Sirsiya Bridge in the west, and from Power House Chowk in the north to Shankaracharya Gate in the south.
DAO Parsa enforces indefinite curfew in Birgunj as curfew cont...
The DAO has urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, warning that security personnel are authorized to take decisive action against curfew violators. Those needing to travel for essential reasons have been asked to coordinate with nearby security personnel.
The DAO said security forces will facilitate the movement of vehicles providing essential services during the curfew period. These include ambulances, fire engines, hearses, vehicles of health workers, journalists, tourist vehicles, as well as those belonging to human rights organizations, diplomatic missions, and air travelers carrying valid flight tickets.
Birgunj remained tense throughout Monday following protests by the people of two different religious groups. The unrest was triggered by an incident in Kamala Municipality–6 of Dhanusha, where an unidentified group allegedly vandalized a mosque in the Muslim settlement of Sakhuwa Madan and burned a copy of the Quran on Saturday. The incident spread widely on social media.
Muslim community members staged demonstrations in Birgunj on Sunday in protest of the incident. Later that evening, Hindu groups organized a motorcycle rally, claiming that remarks made during the protest targeted the Hindu community.
Fresh protests erupted early Monday, leading to brief clashes between police and demonstrators. Muslim youths also staged protests in areas including Chhapkaiya and Murli, defying the prohibitory order, prompting police to arrest around two dozen individuals in connection with escalating unrest.
