In a significant move to maintain public order, authorities in Birgunj, a major border town in Nepal’s Parsa district, imposed a curfew on February 23, 2026, following clashes that erupted between groups of youths and posed a threat to communal harmony. The curfew ordered by the District Administration Office (DAO), Parsa came into effect at 9:45 a.m. local time and remains in place until further notice as officials work to prevent further violence and ensure safety.
Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal said the curfew was imposed under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028 after tensions surfaced on Sunday night in the Shripur–Murli Chowk area of Ward No. 11. The local administration defined the curfew zone with clear boundaries from Bypass Road in the east, Sirsiya River in the west, Gandak Chowk in the north, to Shankaracharya Gate in the south and banned all forms of gatherings, rallies, protests, sit-ins, or other assemblies to contain possible unrest.
What Sparked the Unrest?
According to local officials and reports, the unrest began after a minor dispute over vehicle parking between two groups of young people escalated into a violent clash involving stone-pelting on Sunday evening. Although the incident reportedly started over a relatively small issue, it quickly heightened tensions, prompting authorities to tighten security and take pre-emptive action to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Security personnel, including Nepal Police and other forces, were deployed in large numbers to the affected neighbourhoods to restore calm. While local authorities have not reported large-scale casualties, a few people are believed to have sustained minor injuries during the clashes.
Curfew Measures and Exemptions
Under the curfew order, movement of people within the designated area is strictly prohibited. However, authorities have allowed specific exemptions to ensure essential services are not disrupted. These exemptions include:
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Essential service vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines
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Journalists and media personnel
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Students and examination staff attending pre-scheduled university exams
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Tourist vehicles and passengers
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Vehicles associated with human rights organizations and diplomatic missions
The administration is also assisting travelers with valid flight tickets to facilitate their movement during the curfew period. The aim is to balance law and order with necessary public needs.
Wider Context of Communal Strife in Region
This curfew comes amid broader concerns about religious and communal tensions in parts of southern Nepal. Earlier incidents in the Madhesh Province including protests and clashes triggered by viral social media videos perceived as offensive to religious sentiments had already put pressure on authorities to act swiftly to prevent escalation. In some cases, mosque vandalism and protests over controversial clips shared on platforms like TikTok fuelled unrest in Birgunj and neighbouring municipalities.
In January 2026, a similar curfew was instituted and subsequently extended after clashes continued between different community groups. That disturbance started after a video circulated online that allegedly contained offensive remarks regarding religion, leading to protests and demands for arrests, and eventually a heightened security response by law enforcement.
Efforts to Maintain Peace and Normalcy
Authorities emphasized that the curfew was a preventive measure aimed at averting large-scale communal violence and preserving peace in the border region, which is closely linked to India due to its geographical proximity. Law enforcement officials have appealed to residents to respect the curfew, stay indoors, and cooperate with security personnel to allow the situation to stabilize.
Police are continuing their monitoring and deploying patrol units throughout Birgunj to ensure compliance and discourage any attempts to reignite clashes. Investigations into the underlying causes of the conflict are ongoing, and the administration has cautioned that those found responsible for inciting violence or violating the curfew will face legal action.
As of now, daily life in Birgunj remains tense, with the curfew in place and authorities seeking to restore normalcy through strict security enforcement and community engagement.