Nawalparasi clash: 20 injured, police vehicle set on fire

Butwal, February 25 —  A violent clash erupted between two communities in Bilaspur, Palhinandan Rural Municipality-3, Nawalparasi West, resulting in at least 20 people being injured.

The confrontation occurred after a dispute over a love marriage between a youth and a woman from different communities escalated.

The conflict started when a local vehicle allegedly hit a person, and tensions between the two communities flared up.

The situation intensified when, during the altercation, a police vehicle was set on fire by the locals.

According to the District Police Office, five local residents, 12 personnel from the Nepal Police, and four members of the Armed Police Force were injured during the clash.

The police vehicle with registration number BA 1 Jha 7448 was targeted by the locals, who threw burning tires on it, setting it on fire. 

The dispute began around four months ago when a couple from different communities got married, sparking ongoing tension in the area.

The situation reached a boiling point on Monday when a vehicle incident triggered a violent confrontation.

Bhabishwar Ghimire, the Chief District Officer for Nawalparasi West, stated, "The dispute over the vehicle incident escalated into a clash between the two sides. We attempted to mediate, but unfortunately, some police officers and locals were injured."

He added that the police vehicle was set on fire in an attempt to control the situation.

Two individuals, Vijay Dhawal and Baijanath Prasad Lohaniya, who were injured in the conflict, have been sent to the hospital for treatment.

The current situation is reportedly under control.