KATHMANDU, July 30: Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Thursday appealed for calm, dialogue and communal harmony amid rising tensions following recent violent incidents in Sunsari, Siraha and other districts, assuring that those responsible would face legal action after an impartial and transparent investigation.
In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Shah said the government was treating the incidents and the ensuing unrest with utmost seriousness and had mobilized all state mechanisms to restore normalcy, maintain law and order, and prevent further violence.
Expressing condolences over the deaths of Jaya Prakash Mehta, Om Prakash Mehta and Ganesh Yadav, the prime minister extended sympathy to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He said the government had instructed health authorities to ensure prompt and uninterrupted treatment for the injured, while security agencies had been deployed immediately after the incidents to contain the situation and avert further violence.
Shah said the Ministry of Home Affairs had formed an investigation committee to conduct an independent, impartial and transparent probe into the incidents. "Anyone found responsible, regardless of who they are, will be brought within the ambit of the law," he said, pledging that the investigation would be fair and credible.
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The prime minister said the government was working to prevent further loss of life and property and restore public confidence in the affected areas. He said an all-party meeting had been convened at the federal level to discuss measures to normalize the situation, while dialogue was continuing with local representatives, civil society members, religious leaders and community elders.
According to Shah, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has already visited the affected areas to assess the situation, meet victims and local stakeholders, and strengthen security arrangements. He added that the National Security Council had also reviewed the country's overall security situation and taken decisions based on the evolving circumstances.
Urging the public to exercise restraint, Prime Minister Shah appealed to citizens not to spread rumors, unverified information, hate speech or content that could incite communal hostility through social media or other platforms. He called on the public to rely only on official information issued by government agencies. "The protection of every citizen's life and property, preservation of social harmony and maintenance of peace are the state's foremost responsibilities," he said.
The prime minister said the government would remain on high alert and continue deploying all available state mechanisms to safeguard citizens. He warned that stern action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb public order, spread anarchy or undermine Nepal's long-standing tradition of social harmony, religious tolerance and communal coexistence.
Emphasizing the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, Shah said every citizen has the right to practice their religion, preserve their culture and follow their traditions. "Religion unites people and promotes love. No religion or culture teaches violence, hatred or division," he said.
He cautioned against holding an entire community responsible for isolated incidents or allowing acts of retaliation to spread to other parts of the country, saying such actions were neither justifiable nor consistent with Nepal's social values.
Recalling Nepal's history of overcoming crises through unity, tolerance and mutual understanding, Shah urged citizens, civil society, religious communities, political parties and the media to act responsibly and work together to preserve peace, communal harmony and national unity.
