After more people from both communities arrived at the scene carrying items such as sticks, stones, bamboo, clubs, and spears, the situation became even more tense.
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In Kaptaanganj, Dewanganj Rural Municipality–3, Sunsari, one person was killed by police gunfire and 22 people—including 9 civilians and 13 security personnel—were injured in a clash between two communities on Sunday night.
According to the Sunsari District Police Office, at around 10:15 p.m., Hindu devotees were heading towards Kaptaanganj Chowk from Koshi Barrage with water for the Bolbam festival in the month of Saun, playing DJ music. Some individuals from another community protested against the DJ music. The police stated that the ensuing argument between the two sides escalated into pushing and shoving, eventually turning into a clash.
According to police, a team led by Police Inspector Prakash Kumar Shrestha from the Kaptaanganj Police Post tried to mediate between the two sides. However, the situation became more tense when more people from both communities arrived at the scene carrying sticks, stones, bamboo, clubs, and spears.
During the clash, teams from the Dewanganj Area Police Office, Ghuskhi Police Post, Sahebganj, and the Armed Police Force also arrived at the scene. As both sides began pelting stones, eight Nepal Police personnel, including Inspector Rakesh Rai of the Dewanganj Area Police Office, were injured. After that, Sunsari police reported that three rounds of warning shots were fired into the air from the inspector’s pistol.
Afterwards, at around 10:45 p.m., shots were fired by the Armed Police Force team present at the scene, according to preliminary reports from Sunsari District Police Office DSP Chandra Khadka. Police stated that details are being collected regarding the reason for the gunfire and the number of rounds fired.
Police reported that Omprakash Mehta, 30, of Dewanganj Rural Municipality–4, who was injured by gunfire, died while being taken to Biratnagar for treatment. In the incident, Jayprakash Mehta, 20, of Dewanganj–3, was seriously injured. Similarly, Mithlesh Yadav, Amlesh Mehta, Mithlesh Mehta, Amit Kumar Yadav, Rabindra Mehta, another Amit Kumar Yadav, and Sunil Kumar Mehta are being treated at Neuro Hospital and Birat Nursing Home in Biratnagar, according to police.
In the clash, eight Nepal Police personnel, including Inspector Rakesh Rai, were injured. Inspector Rai received five stitches to his head. The condition of the other injured police personnel is reported to be normal.
Preliminary information indicates that five Armed Police Force personnel were also injured, and police stated that their names are being collected. After the incident, 211 Nepal Police personnel and 165 additional Armed Police Force personnel from the Koshi Province Police Battalion, Nepal Police Special Security Battalion, Sunsari District Police Office, and area police offices in Itahari, Duhabi, Laukahi, Harinagara, Narsingh, and Shisuwa Dharampur have been deployed.
According to police, people from both communities are currently in separate locations. Police stated that discussions and mediation are ongoing with both sides in the presence of additional security personnel, and the situation is now under control.
After the incident, an emergency meeting of the District Security Committee was held. Sunsari administration stated that a decision has been made to tighten security measures to prevent further loss of life and property. The Sunsari administration has urged all parties to remain calm, not to believe rumors, and to help maintain peace and security.
