RAUTAHAT, Feb 19: While the nation observed Democracy Day on Monday, curfew remained in effect for the third day in a row in various areas of a municipality in Rautahat while the District Administration Office, Parsa also imposed indefinite curfew in Birgunj until further notice to curb possible flare up of communal violence.
The DAO, Parsa imposed the curfew following demonstration in Birgunj over a communal dispute in Motipur of Ishanath Municipality in neighboring Rautahat district.
Curfew continues in most wards of Ishnath Municipality in Rautahat where a controversy arose when the idol of Goddess Saraswati was not allowed to be taken through the procession route for desecration after Puja. Ishnath has remained tense for nearly a week due to the clashes.
The District Administration Office (DAO) Rautahat imposed curfew in two wards from Saturday evening and extended it to six wards on Sunday afternoon. DAO Rautahat informed Republica that the curfew has been extended as the tension has not subsided even though there is a large presence of security personnel.
Curfew has been imposed in Wards No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Ishnath Municipality.
To ensure peace and order at the scene, 700 policemen, including Madhesh Province Police Chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Yagya Binod Pokharel and Armed Police Madhes Chief DIG Dipendra Shah, have been deployed. Sanjay Yadav, head of the National Investigation Department's Madhesh province, is also present at the scene.
DAO Rautahat is going to take initiatives to solve the problem. An all-party meeting has been called at the DAO, Rautahat. Chief District Officer Hiralal Regmi stated that an all-party meeting will convene shortly to deliberate on resolving the Saraswati idol desecration issue and maintaining peace and harmony.