Kathmandu, February 22 A curfew imposed in the Gaur municipality in Nepal's Madhesh province following clashes between two communities was extended indefinitely on Sunday.
The District Administration Office, in a notice, said that the prohibitory order will remain in effect from 8:30 am on Sunday until the next notice, within the eastern Mudbalwa Gate, western Lalbakaiya Dam, north of Bam Canal, and south of the Gaur Customs Office.
The clashes between the two communities were triggered by a dispute on Thursday evening, which escalated through Friday and Saturday morning, resulting in at least eight people being injured.
The original curfew order was issued from 1 am on Saturday to 6:30 am on Sunday after a clash erupted between two communities in the Savgadha village of Gaur-6 in Rautahat district on Saturday morning.
However, the prohibitory order was relaxed from 6:30 am to 8:30 am to accommodate local residents.
Representatives from all political parties in Rautahat issued a public appeal to maintain communal harmony and mutual respect.
This appeal came after continuous discussions involving representatives from all sides, urging the preservation of a peaceful and calm environment.
A goodwill rally, led by civil society, with participation from all stakeholders, has also been scheduled for Monday at 7:30 am in Rautahat.
Gaur has remained tense for the past three days, as members of two communities argued during a wedding procession, escalating into stone-pelting and the burning of a vehicle.
Under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, the District Administration Office has prohibited the movement of people, organizing gatherings, assemblies, rallies, and demonstrations within the curfew zone.
At least eight people, including two police officers, were injured in the incident. Earlier, local authorities had deployed hundreds of riot police personnel in the tense area to prevent clashes.
