Kathmandu, Feb 22 (NationPress) A gathering of key stakeholders, including delegates from all political factions in Nepal’s border district of Rautahat, convened on Sunday to advocate for religious harmony following clashes that erupted between Hindu and Muslim factions in the district seat, Gaur.

Though initial confrontations began on Thursday, the situation deteriorated in the subsequent days, leading local authorities to enforce a curfew in specific areas of the district headquarters starting Saturday afternoon to avert further unrest.

The District Administration Office (DAO) of Rautahat maintained the curfew on Sunday, extending its reach from the Lalbakaiya Dam in the west to the Gaur Customs Office in the southern part of Gaur town.

In a collaborative statement released post-meeting, the stakeholders called on all parties involved to unite in fostering a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, highlighting the necessity of mutual respect, tolerance, unity, and understanding to uphold social and religious harmony throughout the district.

Emphasizing that the repercussions of the clashes would significantly impact local inhabitants, the stakeholders urged the residents of Rautahat to act responsibly and assist in maintaining peace and stability in the area.

Rautahat, which borders India, is one of Nepal’s most economically challenged districts and has a history marked by political and religious discord. DAO officials indicated that tensions first flared on Thursday evening when a wedding procession for a Hindu couple clashed with members of the Muslim community engaged in religious practices during the month of Ramadan.

“Loud music from the wedding procession reportedly disrupted worshippers at a nearby mosque. When objections were raised, clashes ensued, with both sides resorting to stone-pelting,” stated Dinesh Sagar Bhusal, Chief District Officer of Rautahat, in a prior interview with IANS.

A meeting on Friday resulted in a six-point agreement aimed at peacefully resolving the dispute. However, tensions reignited on Saturday morning when a vehicle was set ablaze, escalating the situation further and necessitating the administration's imposition of a curfew to prevent the violence from escalating into a more significant communal conflict.

In the meantime, Nepal’s Home Ministry on Saturday urged all parties to uphold religious tolerance and mutual respect among communities, cautioning that any actions disrupting communal harmony, inciting violence, or fostering hatred among diverse religions, ethnicities, classes, regions, or communities would lead to legal repercussions.

“The Ministry is vigilantly monitoring such activities and will ensure that anyone involved in illegal actions is brought before the law and appropriate legal measures are taken,” the Home Ministry stated in a release.