Nepalgunj, 3 October

The local administration has imposed a curfew in Nepalgunj of Banke. A curfew has been issued in the Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan area after signs of tension between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

The curfew was issued after a group of Hindus gathered for a demonstration and there were indications that there might be a clash and the harmony would deteriorate. This decision was taken by the administration after there were signs of social and religious harmony.

District Administration Office Banke had issued an urgent notice only on Monday and asked them not to do activities that harm religious beliefs and spread religious hatred.

On Tuesday morning, with the aim of strengthening social harmony, a harmony rally was held in Nepalgunj with the participation of various religious leaders, people's representatives, civil society leaders, and workers.

The harmony rally which was taken out from BP Chowk in Nepalganj reached Dhambozhi Chowk and turned into a corner meeting. Chief District Officer Bipin Acharya informed that a harmony rally involving followers of different religions, political workers and civil society was performed in the rally.

He said that everyone should help from their place to maintain social and religious harmony. In that corner meeting, Prashant Bista, mayor of Nepalgunj sub-metropolitan city, Chandranath Yogi, Hindu religious leader and original priest of Bageshwari temple, Muslim religious guru Maulana Jabbar Manjari and others urged to maintain brotherhood in the society.

On the day of Muhammad Day in Nepalgunjal, Nepalgunj became restless after a local made an expression targeting Islam on social media.

Two days ago, they raised slogans against the district administration by burning tires in Nepalgunj saying that this expression has hurt those who believe in Islam. In response to that, on Tuesday, people who believe in Hinduism demonstrated, and the problem worsened. Slogans have been going on in the city for two days. Related stakeholders are trying to ease the situation.