Authorities in Nepal have imposed a lockdown and heightened security in a south-western city bordering India amid escalating tensions between local Hindu and Muslim communities.
An indefinite curfew was declared on Oct. 3 in Nepalgunj, a sub-metropolis in Banke district, about 400 kilometres from the national capital Kathmandu, officials said.
People were urged not to leave their homes or gather in groups as security personnel including from the Nepal Army patrolled the streets. Nepalgunj has the largest Muslim population among Nepal’s cities and leaders of the community organized a protest at the office of the chief district officer on Oct. 1. The Hindus held a rally in response on the next day, defying authorities who refused them permission. This heightened tensions and led to a violent clash between groups that left 13 people including three security personnel injured.