As sectarian tensions rise, a curfew is extended to a fourth district in Nepal

Following demonstrations over the recent communal violence in adjacent Sunsari, Nepalese authorities on Friday imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of Madhesh province’s Saptari district. With curfews and prohibitory orders already in effect in portions of Sunsari, Dhanusha, and Siraha, the action was taken as tensions persisted in a number of districts, bringing the total number of districts under curfew to four.

Both Prime Minister Balendra Shah and President Ram Chandra Paudel voiced grave worry over the state of affairs and urged peace, harmony, and moderation. Eight persons, including three from Dhanusha and five from Siraha, were detained in Madhesh province, according to police, on suspicion of inciting intercommunal violence.

Following protests by groups of individuals in response to the violence, the District Administration Office in Saptari implemented a curfew in some areas of Rajbiraj municipality starting at 8 am as a precaution. In an effort to control tensions that have already resulted in three fatalities, authorities have increased security deployment in Nepal’s southern Terai region near the Indian border.

Members of two religious communities hosting different programs argued over the use of loudspeakers and the display of religious flags on Sunday in Sunsari, Koshi province, sparking the start of the violence. After a verbal altercation turned violent, police intervened. Police fired fire to break up the fighting groups, killing one person and injuring over a dozen others, including security guards.

A youth lost his life in fighting in the Siraha region of nearby Madhesh province on Thursday as the unrest expanded there. Additionally, according to officials, one victim of the Sunsari incident in Koshi province passed away. Later that evening, an unidentified attacker shot police policeman Narad Pariyar in the Lahan township of Siraha district. According to authorities, he was struck in the right thigh and is being treated at a hospital in Biratnagar.

Senior representatives of several political parties that represent Madhesh province met with Prime Minister Shah on Friday. Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra Mahato, C K Raut, Prabhu Shah, and Samim Ansari were among those in attendance.In a statement on Thursday, President Paudel urged all political parties, civil society organisations and citizens to maintain peace and order and strengthen national unity.

In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Shah said the government would ensure a neutral and transparent investigation into the recent violence and hold those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, the District Security Committee in the border district of Sarlahi has made it mandatory for people entering Nepal from across the border to carry valid identity documents. Overall, authorities have widened curbs and security measures as Nepal seeks to prevent the unrest from spreading further.

Certainly — here is a sharper 250–300-word newspaper-style version, with greater focus on Lyari’s history of gang violence.