Curfew Extended in Birgunj Following Communal Clash; All-Party Meeting Urges Peace

The District Administration Office, Parsa has extended the curfew imposed in Birgunj Metropolitan City and surrounding areas to maintain law and order in the district. The time of the curfew has been extended from 12 noon until midnight today.

Chief District Officer of Parsa, Ganesh Aryal, said the curfew period has been extended until 12 tonight from 12 noon today. The Administration Office had enforced the curfew from 7:30 pm on Saturday following clashes between Hindus and Muslims during a religious procession organized by the former on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.

Meanwhile, an all-party meeting convened today urged all sides to refrain from activities that disturb law and order and to maintain social harmony and peace. Representatives of various political parties attended the meeting.

The meeting also urged local organisations and communities not to hold rallies and bandhs. The all-party meeting, chaired by CDO Aryal, called on everyone to work together to maintain social harmony.

The meeting emphasized that all religions and sects should move forward in building an equitable society by preserving and promoting unity in diversity, socio-cultural solidarity, tolerance, and harmony. CDO Aryal said this should be done while embracing the dignity of the nation’s multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, and multi-cultural identity.

The meeting also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured security personnel, media persons, and the general public, and decided that the State should provide treatment to the injured.

Nepali Congress Parsa President Janardan Singh Chhetri urged the people to maintain peace by upholding social harmony.