Clash Erupts in Sunsari, One Dead, Several Injured, Army Deployed

Biratnagar. The dispute between two communities that started on Sunday night in the Devanaganj and Kapitanaganj areas of Sunsari took a violent turn, making the district's life fearful and tense throughout Monday. After Om Prakash Mehta died from a police bullet, angry protesters engaged in vandalism, arson, and physical attacks in various places throughout the day. As the situation went out of control, the administration imposed a curfew and deployed the Nepali Army, while the Home Ministry removed local administration and security agency chiefs from their responsibilities and formed an investigation committee.

Violence Started from a Minor Dispute

On Sunday night around 9 PM, a dispute arose between two sides in Devanaganj-3 Kapitanaganj over a group preparing for a Bolbam procession on a Monday in Shrawan, playing DJ music, and placing religious flags. The dispute was sparked by one community removing another community's flag from an electric pole and placing their own flag. The clash, which started with a minor argument, quickly turned violent. As both sides began attacking with sticks, stones, and spears, the police fired tear gas and shot in the air to control the situation.

During the incident, 25-year-old Om Prakash Mehta of Devanaganj-4 died from a bullet. Nine civilians and 13 security personnel, totaling 22 people, were injured. Many of them sustained bullet wounds. Following Sunday's incident, protesters took to the streets from Monday morning. Despite the administration imposing an indefinite curfew in Kapitanaganj, Harinagara, Bhutaha, and Devanaganj areas from 7 AM, protesters violated it.

सुनसरी घटना : सीडीओसहित सुरक्षा प्रमुखहरूलाई फिर्ता बोलाउने निर्णय

सुनसरी घटना : यी हुन् जिम्मेवारी खाेसिएका सुरक्षा अधिकारीहरू

सुनसरी घटनामा को–को छन् घाइते ? (सूचीसहित)

सुनसरीको देवानगन्ज घटनाप्रति मानव अधिकार आयोगको चासो

सुनसरी घटना : आक्रोशित समूहले जलाए मोटरसाइकल

Angry groups set fire to local houses, a hardware store, and a tractor parked in front of a house in Devanaganj. Additionally, some temporary houses and two motorcycles were also set on fire. The sight of goods being taken out of market shops and burned on the street was reminiscent of a battlefield. The intensity of the protest reached the district headquarters Inaruwa. A group of about 150 people severely beat a civilian in Inaruwa and vandalized a Bajaj showroom, a magic vehicle, and a police post. Hundreds of passengers were stranded as the East-West Highway was blocked. A youth from Devanaganj-4 was attacked with a sharp weapon while returning from the market, and his condition is currently critical.

Home Ministry's Action

As the incident took a serious turn, the Home Ministry immediately removed the Chief District Officer and the Police Chief of Sunsari, along with other security officials, from their responsibilities, citing their failure to maintain peace and security. As per the decision of Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, Sunsari's Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire was recalled and replaced by the CDO of Sankhuwasabha, Ishwariprasad Aryal. Similarly, Koshi Province Police Chief (DIG) Binod Ghimire was transferred to the Police Headquarters and replaced by DIG Shekhar Khanal. SP Keshav Thebe of the District Police Office Sunsari was transferred and replaced by Pushparaj Mall. Armed Police DSP Nandakishor Mahato was also recalled. The government took this decision to address the weaknesses and lack of coordination in the security mechanism. The Home Ministry has formed a five-member committee led by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa to investigate the truth of the incident and has instructed the committee to submit its report within a week. On Monday itself, Home Minister Gurung held discussions with the Home Secretary and heads of security agencies at Singha Durbar and gave necessary instructions to control the situation and prevent further damage. As the police and armed police could not control the situation in the Kapitanaganj area, the local administration deployed the Nepali Army. With the presence of the army and armored vehicles, the protesters were somewhat dispersed, but the atmosphere of fear has not yet subsided. According to the District Police Office, the situation in Devanaganj and Kapitanaganj is currently somewhat calm, but small groups continue to gather in the highway areas and surrounding villages.

Condition of the Injured

The injured are being treated at Neuro, Virat Nursing Home, and Nobel Hospital in Biratnagar. Among the injured, 18-year-old Amlesh Mehta, 22-year-old Mithlesh Yadav, and 21-year-old Rabindra Mehta are in critical condition. Doctors said that many have bullet wounds in their abdomen, chest, and thighs. Among the injured police personnel, Inspector Rakesh Rai sustained a serious head injury. An all-party and all-stakeholder meeting was held on Monday to de-escalate the communal tension that erupted in Sunsari. The meeting appealed to all political parties and civil society to maintain social harmony, not to fall for rumors, and to help create a peaceful environment. Devanaganj Rural Municipality has declared two days of public holiday in mourning of the incident.

The National Human Rights Commission has also stated that it has taken serious note of the incident and has started an investigation. The commission has demanded that the government bring the culprits to justice and provide compensation to the families of the deceased. A curfew is currently in effect in sensitive areas of Sunsari. The army is patrolling. The administration has repeatedly urged citizens to stay indoors and exercise restraint.