Nepal’s election countdown has turned volatile, with Birgunj emerging as the latest hotspot. Sunday evening saw two youth factions clash fiercely in Parsa district, forcing district authorities to declare an open-ended curfew across Birgunj Metropolitan City from Monday morning.
The order, issued by the District Administration Office Parsa, references mounting security threats. CDO Bhola Dahal detailed the boundaries: east from bypass road, west to Sirsiya River, north to Gandak Chowk, and south to Shankaracharya Gate. Movement restrictions prohibit assemblies, demonstrations, dharnas, and processions.
Exemptions cover critical operations—journalists, exam-bound students and invigilators, emergency vehicles, tourists, NGO staff, diplomats, and airport passengers with tickets. This multi-layered approach aims to balance security with essential mobility.
Echoing this unrest, Rautahat’s Gaur saw parallel chaos Saturday. A wedding argument in Ward 6’s Subgadh escalated to stone-throwing and vehicle burning. Even after Friday’s truce via a six-point deal, hostilities reignited around 9 AM, leading to a 1 PM curfew still ongoing.
These events underscore deepening fault lines in Nepal’s Terai belt ahead of March 5 polls. Analysts warn that unchecked communal tensions could undermine voter turnout and credibility. Beefed-up policing and calls for dialogue dominate the response, but fragile peace hangs in the balance as campaigning intensifies.
