KATHMANDU, Nepal (Diya TV) — Several towns in southeastern Nepal remained under an indefinite curfew Friday as officials worked to prevent fresh violence after deadly sectarian clashes killed at least three people and injured dozens earlier this week.
Authorities said the unrest began Sunday in Diwanganj, a town in Sunsari district near the Indian border. The violence later spread to nearby areas, raising security concerns across the region. Although police reported no new clashes on Friday, officials kept strict restrictions in place to maintain peace and restore public confidence.
The violence started after a dispute during a Hindu religious event, according to local officials. Authorities said disagreements over loud music and religious flags quickly turned into clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups. As a result, at least 25 people suffered injuries during the late-night violence in Diwanganj.
Soon afterward, the situation worsened. Two men died after gunfire in Sunsari on Sunday. Then, on Thursday, another person died in neighboring Siraha district as isolated incidents continued. Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said authorities are investigating all three deaths. However, officials have not released additional details about the shootings.
Even so, police confirmed that no fresh violence occurred on Friday. Security forces continued patrols across affected towns. At the same time, local officials enforced an indefinite curfew in several locations to prevent further clashes. Authorities also urged residents to follow safety measures and avoid spreading rumors that could increase tensions.
The recent unrest has drawn national attention because Nepal has generally maintained peaceful relations among different religious communities. Therefore, the government has moved quickly to calm the situation and reassure the public.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the nation in a rare televised speech on Thursday. He appealed for unity and urged people to help remove what he described as a “cloud of turbulence” hanging over the Himalayan country. He also promised that the government would carry out a fair and impartial investigation into the violence.
Shah said authorities would identify everyone responsible for the unrest. He added that the government would hold those involved accountable through a transparent legal process. His remarks aimed to ease public concerns while encouraging communities to avoid further conflict.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Sudan Gurung visited the families of the two men who died in Sunsari. During the meeting, the government agreed to provide each family with about $6,660 in financial relief, according to an official statement released late Thursday. The assistance is intended to support the affected families during a difficult time.
In addition, Gurung planned to travel to Siraha on Friday to meet the family of the third victim. Government officials said they remain committed to helping those affected while also working to restore normal conditions across the region.
Furthermore, security agencies continue to monitor the situation closely. Police have increased their presence in sensitive areas, especially near communities affected by the violence. Officials believe these steps will reduce the risk of additional unrest while investigations continue.
For now, residents in the affected towns continue to live under movement restrictions as officials assess security conditions. Businesses, schools, and transportation services have also faced disruptions because of the curfew. However, authorities hope calm conditions will allow them to lift restrictions once they determine that public safety has improved.
