A curfew has been imposed in Birgunj town of Nepal following communal clashes over a viral video, while India has sealed the border to prevent any spillover of unrest.
Communal tension has flared in parts of Nepal along the India border, prompting authorities to place the region on high alert. Protests erupted in Birgunj town of Nepal’s Parsa district after a video with alleged religious content went viral on social media, according to reports.
Birgunj, which lies close to India’s Bihar state, witnessed rising tensions following a controversy linked to a TikTok video. As the situation worsened, the district administration imposed a curfew, which has since been extended until Tuesday evening.
Curfew imposed in Birgunj
According to news agency ANI, prohibitory orders were issued in parts of the district on Monday afternoon due to continuing religious tensions. Despite the restrictions, opposing groups went ahead with simultaneous protests, forcing authorities to impose a curfew to prevent further escalation.
The Parsa district administration initially imposed the curfew from 6 pm local time on Monday until 8 am on Tuesday. As the situation continued to deteriorate and security concerns persisted, the curfew was later extended until 1 pm.
What triggered the unrest
According to an NDTV report, the tension began after two Muslim men — Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari from Kamala Municipality in Nepal’s Dhanusha district — allegedly posted a video containing remarks that hurt religious sentiments. The video triggered unrest in both Dhanusha and neighbouring Parsa districts.
Local residents later detained the two men and handed them over to the police, saying the video threatened communal harmony. Soon after, a mosque was vandalised in the Sakhuwa Maran area of Kamala, further escalating tensions and drawing people onto the streets.
Protests turn violent
During the protests, Hindu groups alleged that derogatory remarks were made against their deities, further fuelling anger. Demonstrations soon turned violent, with protesters pelting stones at police personnel and vandalising a local police station.
Police said they fired several tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation in Birgunj.
India–Nepal border sealed
In view of the unrest, security has been tightened along the India–Nepal border. The Sashastra Seema Bal has sealed the border, allowing only emergency services to operate.
Civilian movement has been halted, with enhanced checks at the Maitri Bridge connecting India and Nepal. A dog squad has also been deployed to strengthen security. Officials said patrolling has been intensified in other border areas, including Sahadewa, Mahadewa, Pantoka, Siwan Tola and Musharwa, to prevent any untoward incident.
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