Curfew imposed in Gaur, Rautahat

By Prabin Kumar Sharma, Rautahat, Feb.21: The District Administration Office in Rautahat has imposed a curfew in the district headquarters, Gaur.

Chief District Officer Dinesh Sagar Bhusal said that the curfew has been enforced from 1:00 PM on Saturday until further notice as per the decision by the Rautahat District Security Committee. 

The curfew area is extended as far as Mudwalaba gate in east, Lalbakaiya embankment in the west, Bam Canal in the north, and the Gaur Customs Office in the south.

Under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028 (1971), the District Administration Office has prohibited movement of individuals, gatherings, assemblies, rallies, and demonstrations within the curfew zone. Authorities have warned that anyone violating the order will face legal action in accordance with the law.

The curfew was imposed after tensions escalated following clashes between two communities on Saturday morning, despite a six-point agreement reached at the District Administration Office on Friday evening.

Stone-pelting began around 9:00 AM, prompting the deployment of hundreds of security personnel to bring the situation under control. 

As the clashes intensified, joint teams from Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal were mobilized to the scene.

During the clashes in various parts of Gaur on Saturday, several vehicles were set on fire, and a mosque located in Ward No. 3 of Gaur was also torched.

In the talks held on Friday evening, both sides had reiterated their commitment to maintaining social harmony, exercising restraint, and ensuring participation in the upcoming election scheduled for March 5.

The dispute reportedly began on Thursday night in Sabgadh after a wedding procession playing music was obstructed in front of a mosque, which led to rising tensions.