Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Discusses Communal Clash with Security Chiefs

Kathmandu. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has started discussions with security chiefs regarding the clash between Hindu and Muslim communities in Kapantaganj, Ward No. 3 of Devangaj Rural Municipality in Sunsari.

Minister Gurung held discussions with Home Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha, IGP Dan Bahadur Karki, and Armed Police Chief Naraydatt Poudel at Singha Durbar. According to a high-ranking official from the Home Ministry, the Home Minister received a briefing on the incident from the security chiefs.

One person died in the clash between the two communities last night. Omprakash Mehta, a resident of Kapantaganj, died after being shot by security personnel. Security officials state that the dispute escalated over the Hindu community playing loud DJ music at the temple and previously removing a Muslim community flag from a utility pole in the area and replacing it with a Hindu flag.

Security personnel claim that police fired 3 rounds and armed police fired 7 rounds after the clash began. Police Inspector Rakesh Rai, along with 10 police personnel, 5 armed police personnel, and 9 locals were injured in the clash. Sunsari's Chief District Officer Basudev Adhikari stated that the armed police fired 20 rounds at the scene.