Several towns in southeastern Nepal remained under indefinite curfew as authorities attempted to prevent a resurgence of sectarian violence that began late on Sunday and has left at least three people dead, officials said.
Police reported that 25 people were hurt in a late-night confrontation in Diwanganj, a town in Sunsari district bordering India, where a clash between Hindus and Muslims followed a dispute over loud music and religious flags during a Hindu event. Two men were shot and killed in Sunsari on Sunday, and a third death was reported in neighbouring Siraha district on Thursday as sporadic clashes continued in the area.
Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said the incidents were under investigation. Authorities said there was no new violence on Friday, but that curfews would remain in place in multiple towns for an unspecified period to avert any further incidents.
In a televised address on Thursday, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who has been described as Gen Z-backed, urged the public to stay calm and to remove what he termed the "cloud of turbulence" from the nation. "The government will conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the violence and punish those responsible for the trouble in a transparent way," Shah said.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung met with the families of the two men killed in Sunsari and the government said late on Thursday that it would provide about $6,660 in relief to each family. Gurung was also expected to travel to Siraha on Friday to meet the family of the third person who was killed.
Officials emphasised the ongoing nature of inquiries into the clashes and maintained restrictions on movement in affected towns as a precautionary step. Local authorities cited the curfews as necessary to prevent the reappearance of violence while investigations proceed.
The situation remains fluid with officials monitoring the area. Police and government statements indicate that keeping order and completing transparent investigations are priorities for the administration as it responds to the recent unrest.