Kathmandu [Nepal], July 30 – Authorities in Nepal’s Siraha district imposed an indefinite curfew on Thursday after violence linked to recent unrest in neighbouring Sunsari spread to the eastern Terai raising fresh security concerns.
Chief District Officer Surendra Paudel ordered the curfew from 2 pm local time until further notice citing the risk that protests demonstrations and mob violence could further threaten public order. The decision was taken on the recommendation of the District Security Committee following an assessment of the deteriorating security situation.
The curfew covers parts of Golbazar Municipality including the East-West Highway stretch from Kasaha River in Ward 3 to Choharwa Chowk as well as the areas around Sainik Chowk and the Rastriya Prasasan multipurpose campus. Authorities warned that anyone violating the order would face legal action.
The move came after clashes between two groups in Golbazar turned violent with protesters setting fire to more than 11 motorcycles. Firefighters from Golbazar Municipality later brought the blaze under control but demonstrations continued despite the curfew.
The latest unrest follows a fatal clash in Kaptanganj, Devangunj rural municipality of Sunsari district on Sunday evening where one person was killed in a shooting. A second youth from the same locality died on Thursday while undergoing treatment intensifying tensions in the region.
Following the Sunsari violence local administrations in several districts have stepped up security measures amid fears that the unrest could spread further. Officials said the curfew in Siraha was imposed as a preventive measure to contain escalating tensions and restore public order in one of the country’s most sensitive regions.
