As Nepal gears up for its crucial parliamentary elections on March 5, tensions are flaring in key regions. In a disturbing escalation, Birgunj city in Parsa district has been placed under an indefinite curfew following violent clashes between two youth groups on Sunday evening.
Local authorities, citing deteriorating law and order, imposed the curfew starting Monday at 9:45 AM, covering the entire Birgunj Metropolitan City area. Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal specified the restricted zone stretches from the eastern bypass road to the Sirsiya River in the west, Gandak Chowk in the north, and Shankaracharya Gate in the south.
All gatherings, rallies, protests, meetings, and processions are banned within the curfew zone. Essential services including media personnel, university exam students and staff, tourist vehicles, ambulances, human rights organization vehicles, and diplomatic missions are exempted. Security forces will also assist air travelers with valid tickets.
This incident follows a similar outbreak in Rautahat district’s Gaur municipality on Saturday, where a wedding procession dispute between two communities spiraled into stone pelting and arson. Despite a six-point agreement reached Friday evening, violence resumed Saturday morning, prompting a curfew from 1 PM that remains in effect.
With elections just over a week away, these pre-poll flare-ups raise serious concerns about maintaining peace. Authorities are on high alert, deploying additional forces to prevent further unrest. Political leaders have urged calm, emphasizing democratic processes over street violence. The situation remains fluid as security measures intensify across southern Nepal’s Terai region.