Fear of ‘hoax bomb’, soil & stones found inside beer bottle

KATHMANDU: A suspicious object discovered near Lumbini Gate on the Siddhartha Highway in Rupandehi this morning triggered panic among locals during the Nepal bandha called by the Nepal Communist Party (Bahumat).

The roadside object, left unattended, temporarily disrupted traffic in the area.

The object, placed inside a bag with a paper reading “Let’s make Nepal Bandha successful,” raised fears of a possible bomb.

The Nepal Army’s bomb disposal team promptly arrived on the scene and neutralized the threat.

According to the Rupandehi District Police Office, the object was later confirmed to be a hoax bomb. Investigators found that an empty beer bottle filled with soil and stones had been used to scare the public.

The bandh, called to demand a boycott of the upcoming elections on March 5, has affected daily life across Rupandehi and neighboring districts. Key markets, commercial establishments, and industries remained closed, while schools and educational institutions suspended classes. Long- and short-distance transport was disrupted, leaving many passengers stranded.

Security personnel have been deployed at multiple locations to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.