Authorities in Nepal have declared a strict curfew in the border city of Birgunj following a night of violent communal clashes and an attack on a mosque. The curfew, which began on the evening of January 5, 2026, will remain in force until 8 am on January 6, 2026, as officials attempt to restore order and prevent further violence.
Violence Erupts After Religious Procession
The unrest reportedly began on Sunday, January 4, 2026, during a religious procession in the Chhapakaiya area of Birgunj, located in the Parsa district. Tensions escalated between two communities, leading to incidents of stone-pelting and clashes. The situation took a more serious turn when a mob targeted and vandalized a local mosque, causing significant damage to the religious site and further inflaming communal sentiments.
In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, the District Administration Office of Parsa, under the leadership of Chief District Officer Ramu Sharma, invoked Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. This legal provision prohibits the assembly of more than four people in public spaces. The administration deemed this step necessary to disperse crowds and prevent the violence from spreading to other parts of the sensitive border city.
Curfew Imposed, Police Make Multiple Arrests
As the clashes continued and the vandalism of the mosque sparked widespread fury, local authorities escalated their response. A full-scale curfew was officially imposed across Birgunj Municipality starting at 6:30 pm on Monday, January 5, 2026. The order mandates that all citizens must remain indoors, and any movement on the streets is prohibited until 8 am the following day.
Law enforcement agencies have been deployed in large numbers to enforce the curfew and patrol the city. Police have confirmed the arrest of 23 individuals directly in connection with the violence and the attack on the mosque. Security forces are maintaining a heavy presence in sensitive areas, particularly around religious sites and the main market zones, to deter any further incidents.
Heightened Tensions in a Strategic Border City
The imposition of a curfew highlights the severity of the situation in Birgunj, a city of major economic and strategic importance. Birgunj serves as a crucial trade gateway, sharing a border with Raxaul in India's Bihar state. Any prolonged disruption here can have immediate repercussions on cross-border trade and movement.
Local community leaders have appealed for calm and dialogue. The attack on the mosque has particularly raised concerns about the fragility of inter-communal harmony in the region. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the curfew orders or attempting to incite further violence. The administration is closely monitoring social media platforms to curb the spread of hate speech and inflammatory content that could exacerbate the crisis.
The next few hours until the curfew is lifted are critical. The administration hopes that the lockdown will provide a cooling-off period, allowing tensions to subside and enabling security forces to fully assess the damage and identify the main instigators behind Sunday's clashes and the subsequent act of vandalism.
