Sunsari’s Bhutaha gripped by Hindu-Muslim conflict: Over 51 rounds of gunfire, several injured

KATHMANDU: The situation went out of control after clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities. The tension escalated into a clash around 1 PM.

Despite adequate security deployed in the tense area, the situation remains volatile due to skirmishes between the two sides.

Demonstrators have caused damage to the rural municipality office, area administration office, and police post. According to information provided by Sunsari Police, more than 51 rounds of gunfire have been reported so far.

Eyewitnesses have reported that two individuals were shot. The Sunsari District Administration Office has informed that the exact number of tear gas and rounds of gunfire could not be confirmed.

Chief District Officer Vedaraj Phuyal said that despite the prohibition order, the crowd could not be brought under control. He said that every effort is being made to control the situation.

Meanwhile, after seeing the situation going out of control, an emergency meeting of the security committee was held. The meeting held at the administration office in the presence of party representatives requested the stakeholders to take initiative to exercise restraint against the uncontrollable crowd.

A meeting convened in Inaruwa, attended by the DIGs of the three security agencies in the Koshi State, issued a stern warning that security forces might resort to the use of force if the situation escalates further.

The ongoing tension and demonstrations are spreading to neighboring cities and markets in the southern region. Following clashes between protesters from the two communities, Bhutaha Bazar, along with Gautampur, Dewangunj, and several other southern areas, remains tense.

As of the latest update, the Sunsari administration has imposed a prohibitory order covering all wards of Harinagar Rural Municipality and the 1st and 2nd wards of Dewangunj.

Depending on the situation, the scope of the order may be expanded, or stricter measures may be enforced. The previous day in Bhutaha, Hindu youths were assaulted by a group of Muslim youths. Jeevan Mehta, one of the injured individuals, is currently receiving treatment in Dharan.

Reports indicate that the condition of the injured individual is showing signs of improvement. Since this morning, a local Hindu group has been staging protests against the incident.

A video depicting a Hindu youth being assaulted by a group of Muslim youths, along with statements related to the Muslim religion, has gone viral on social media. It appears that the attack was motivated by these statements.

Both Hindu and Muslim communities have taken sides on the matter, leading to a clash between the two groups today.

Despite the administration’s strict measures to restrict outsiders from joining the protest, the number of people arriving to participate in the demonstration is on the rise.