Tensions prevail in several districts of Nepal, including the Sunsari district bordering India’s Bihar, following an attack by Muslims on the Hindu Kanwar Yatra over DJ music. The attack resulted in three persons losing their lives and about 2 dozen people sustaining injuries. Among the killed are Ganesh Yadav, Om Prakash Mehta, and Jay Prakash Mehta.
An indefinite curfew has reportedly been imposed in several districts of Nepal, including the Dhanusha and Siraha districts, after violence spread to several parts of the country. The Armed Police Force and Nepal Army personnel have been deployed in several areas to maintain order. As per reports, authorities are also using air surveillance to keep a watch on the situation.
On Thursday, a massive protest was organised by several Nepali Hindu organisations in Janakpurdham following the death of the Hindus. The protests jammed key areas of the city, raised slogans, and burned effigies of the Nepali Prime Minister and Home Minister. The local police used tear gas to disperse the protestors and imposed a curfew in the area.
PM Balen Shah speaks up on the violence after four days
Meanwhile, the Nepali Prime Minister Balen Shah appealed to people to maintain unity and social harmony and show restraint. Addressing the people of Nepal on Thursday (30th July), four days after the communal violence, Shah said that his government is treating the situation with “full seriousness and sensitivity”. The Government of Nepal is completely serious and sensitive about the tragic incident that took place in Dewanganj, Siraha, and other places in Sunsari a few days ago and the turbulent atmosphere that has arisen in some districts since then,” Shah said.
He announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs has formed an investigation committee to probe the incidents of violence and prosecute the culprits. He also promised compensation to the victims of the violence. According to Assistant Chief District Officer of Sunsari, Poshan Lamichhane, a compensation of Nepali Rupees (NRs) 2,00,000 is promised to the kin of the persons killed in violence in Sunsari, while NRs 50,000 will be provided to the injured for treatment expenses. The government reached out to the families of the deceased and agreed on a seven-point resolution, assuring action against the culprits
How the violence occurred
The unrest started on 26th July in Sunsari’s Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Kaptainganj, when a Hindu religious procession carrying a DJ sound system entered a Muslim-dominant locality. As per reports, a disagreement over the DJ sound and religious flags led to an altercation, which escalated into violent clashes involving stone-pelting between the two communities in no time.
As the situation deteriorated, the Nepal Police and the Armed forces intervened. The police reportedly fired multiple rounds to disperse the crowds, which led to the loss of 3 lives. The violence, however, spread to neighbouring areas as protestors committed widespread arson, vandalism, stone-pelting, and clashed with security forces. Several vehicles, shops, and other private properties have been damaged in the violence. The violence has now reached parts of Madhesh Province, including Dhanusha and Siraha districts.
Curfews imposed in several parts
To bring the situation under control, authorities imposed curfews in several areas, including Inaruwa, Janakpur, Siraha, Golbazaar, and Lahan, while additional restrictions were imposed in Dhanusha and other sensitive locations. In Dhanusha district, curfews have been implemented in Laxminia Hatbazaar, Belauni Road, Nagarain Municipality, Dudhmati Bridge, and parts of Janakpur. And in Siraha, similar restrictions have been imposed in the Golbazaar area along the East-West Highway to curb the violence.
The situation is likely to affect commercial activities between India and Nepal, as Sunsari is a crucial transit and commercial corridor between the two countries.
Victims declared as ‘martyrs’ by local body
Devanganj Rural Municipality declared Om Prakash Mehta and Jay Prakash Mehta as “martyrs” at the local level. The Municipality said that it would urge the Nepal government to confer official martyr status on the deceased. Besides, the municipality approved financial aid of 1 million Nepalese rupees for each bereaved family.
Those left permanently disabled or severely injured due to gunshot wounds will be provided 200,000 Nepalese rupees each, and the people who suffered minor disabilities will receive compensation of 50,000 Nepalese rupees. The municipality has also decided to seek compensation from the government for the people whose homes, businesses, and properties were vandalised during the violence.
Former monarch expresses concern
Former Nepalese monarch Gyanendra Shah expressed concern over the escalating communal tension in the country. Shah recounted how people of different ethnicities, languages, and religions had lived in harmony for decades in Nepal. He called for the preservation of Nepal’s multi-ethnic, multilingual, and multi-religious identity, along with its tradition of respecting all faiths and cultures. The former King urged people of Nepal to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood.
The violence came months after Prime Minister Balen Shah assumed office, following a violent Gen-Z-led revolution in the country.
