Nepal PM Urges Calm After Deadly Religious Clashes; Curfew Extended
Three people have died in communal violence in Nepal's Sunsari district, prompting Prime Minister Balendra Shah to appeal for calm and authorities to extend curfews, according to reports from Al Jazeera and The Hindu.
The clashes began Sunday in the Kaptangunj area of Sunsari district, near the Indian border, following a dispute between Hindus and Muslims over loud music and religious flags during a Hindu procession, officials said. Police opened fire to disperse the crowd, killing two men, according to police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle. A third man died Thursday during a protest in nearby Siraha district, despite a curfew being in place, Al Jazeera reported.
The Hindu reported one person killed and more than a dozen injured, including security personnel, when police opened fire on clashing groups. Both outlets reported that authorities imposed curfews across Sunsari and neighboring districts to prevent further clashes. The Hindu noted that curfew orders were extended from five to six areas in the district indefinitely, with violators warned of legal action.
Prime Minister Shah, who has rarely appeared in public since taking office in March, broke his silence Thursday with his first major address to the nation, Al Jazeera reported. “I, on behalf of the government, sincerely appeal to the citizens, civil society, religious communities, all respected leaders, all political parties and responsible media, to exercise patience and restraint and maintain peace, harmony, brotherhood and national unity,” he said.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Shah expressed grief over the violence and pledged justice for the bereaved family, compensation for those affected, and action against those responsible, according to The Hindu. He said the government stands in deep solidarity with affected families and has initiated an investigation into the deaths and injuries from gunfire by security personnel.
Police say they are working to restore order. “We have kept all police officials in the field on alert and are trying to protect public property and prevent any conflicting situation with minimal use of force,” Kafle told the AFP news agency, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Hindus make up about 80 percent of Nepal’s population, but the country has a significant Muslim minority. The government is reviewing the entire incident and will implement necessary corrective measures, Shah said.