Kathmandu [Nepal], January 5 (ANI): The District Administration Office (DAO) of Parsa has imposed prohibitory orders in Birgunj Metropolitan City following communal clashes reported on Sunday, banning all forms of gatherings, meetings, processions, and demonstrations until further notice.
The prohibitory order came into effect at 1:00 p.m. on Monday and will remain in force until further orders. According to the order, issued under Section 6(3A) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, any kind of gathering, meeting, procession, or demonstration is prohibited in specified areas of Birgunj Metropolitan City from January 5 until further notice. Authorities warned that violators will be taken into custody and action will be taken in accordance with the law.
Earlier on Sunday, security was tightened across Nepal’s Madhesh province following religious tensions in Birgunj and Janakpur, which reportedly erupted over a TikTok video containing religiously sensitive remarks.
Officials said the tension first flared in Kamala Municipality of Dhanusha district after a dispute between two groups, triggered by religiously targeted comments posted on TikTok. The incident later sparked protests in both Birgunj and Janakpur.
The controversy reportedly began when two youths, identified as Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari, uploaded a video on TikTok in Janakpur, Dhanusha. Locals alleged that the video hurt religious sentiments and subsequently handed the youths over to the police.
Local authorities in Nepal have urged all parties to maintain social harmony after communal tension flared on Sunday in Parsa and Dhanushadham districts, triggering a high-security alert in the southern plains of the country.
The alert followed clashes in Birgunj, Parsa, which resulted in injuries to several police personnel. In a notice, the District Administration Office of Parsa appealed to residents to maintain peace and social harmony in the district.
“The Muslim community had come onto the streets. They had burned tires at two or three places. We held discussions with leaders of the Muslim community as well as those protesting on the streets, and now the situation is under control and calm,” Bhola Dahal, Chief District Officer of Parsa, told ANI.
Dahal said the DAO has appealed to people not to incite social, religious, or cultural animosity. He added that individuals involved in activities that affect national unity or spread false rumors harming the social reputation of communities are being closely monitored on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. He urged the public to remain alert and cautious.
The tension initially escalated in the southern plains of Nepal from Kamala Municipality in Dhanusha district following a dispute triggered by religiously targeted comments on TikTok. The situation worsened in Ward 6 of Kamala Municipality after a mosque was vandalized.
In protest, demonstrators staged rallies in and around Birgunj, burning tires and chanting slogans. A brief clash broke out between protesters and police at Chhapkaiya Idgah Chowk in Birgunj, after which police fired five rounds of tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Following the protests and clashes, security has been increased across all eight districts of Madhesh. A large number of security personnel have been deployed in areas identified as potential flashpoints for further unrest.
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