NHRC concerned about people injured in Nepalgunj clashes

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 5: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has drawn its serious attention to the situation of 22 people, including five security personnel, injured during the clashes between the Hindu and Muslim community on Monday in Nepalgunj, Banke. 

In this regard, the commission office based in Nepalgunj, has conducted filed monitoring and collected information by contacting the concerned bodies.  

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, NHRC stated that the Muslim community burnt tires on the District Administration Office premises on October 2 in response to the comments and reactions on social media a few days ago.

And some Hindu supporters, including the Shiva Sena, announced a demonstration programme from 10:00 am and called for a shutdown of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City on October 3. 

During the monitoring, the commission found that an all-party meeting was held on October 4 to address the unusual situation at the District Administration Office, Banke.

According to the decision of all-party meeting, a solidarity rally was held on October 3 at 7:00 am. On the same day, during the demonstration of Hindu supporters, including Omkar Samaj, there was a double clash between the two groups. 

To prevent the situation from becoming more violent, the District Administration Office issued an injunction for an indefinite period from October 3.

Among the 22 people injured in the clash, 21 people have returned home after treatment and one person is receiving treatment at Bheri Hospital, according to the press release. 

The commission has appealed to all conserned parties to be sensitive to the possibility of communal violence and disruption of peace and security, to be aware of the rights of others when using freedom of thought and expression, to use social media in a dignified manner, to investigate the truth of the incident and take action against the culprits, to arrange for the treatment of the injured, to disturb the harmony between various communities. The commission  has also appealed to all to exercise restraint.