Kathmandu, Feb 23 (NationPress) The authorities in Nepal's Parsa district have declared a curfew in specific areas of the border town of Birgunj on Monday, due to rising security concerns stemming from conflicts between Hindu and Muslim factions in the Shripur locality of the city.

These tensions emerged shortly after similar disturbances took place in Gaur, the administrative center of another southern border district, Rautahat.

The unrest has arisen just days before the upcoming elections for the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5.

The District Administration Office (DAO) of Parsa announced that the curfew would be in effect within the borders of Birgunj Bypass to the east, Sirsiya River to the west, Gandak Chowk to the north, and Shankaracharya Gate to the south.

“The curfew took effect from 9:45 am on Monday and will remain in place until further notice,” stated the DAO. During this time, all forms of gatherings, processions, demonstrations, assemblies, meetings, and sit-ins are strictly prohibited within the specified areas.

Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal explained to IANS that the curfew was necessary to avert further escalations following a confrontation between the two groups in the Shripur district.

Local law enforcement indicated that the prohibitory order was prompted by a parking dispute that had the potential to evolve into religious conflict. “On Sunday evening, a vehicle driven by a Muslim individual was unable to navigate a road due to motorcycles obstructed by some Hindu youths in Shripur. The local disagreement risked escalating into a serious confrontation due to provocative exchanges between the two communities,” noted Deputy Superintendent of Police Hari Bahadur Basnet, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Parsa.

He further mentioned that the situation has been stabilized following the imposition of the curfew.

Birgunj, which shares a border with India's Raxaul town, serves as a crucial gateway for Nepal's trade and is one of the primary entry points between the two nations. The city, which is inhabited by both Hindu and Muslim populations, has a history of intermittent religious discord.

Earlier in January, a curfew was also enforced in Birgunj following the vandalism of a mosque in the Dhanusha district, part of southern Madhesh Province, to prevent potential religious unrest amidst protests from Muslim groups.

In Gaur city of Rautahat, clashes occurred last week when a Hindu wedding procession clashed with members of the Muslim community who were engaged in religious observances during Ramadan.

Basnet emphasized that the prohibitory order was essential to prevent a minor local dispute from escalating into a broader Hindu-Muslim conflict and fostering division.