One of its kind tensions broke out in the Banke district of the Nepalgunj sub-metropolis area on October 3. Subsequently, a curfew was imposed by the police as tensions gripped the town due to stone pelting by the Muslim community. The Hindu community in the town called for a bandh and hence witnessed targeted attacks by the Muslims. The bandh was organised in response to the ‘Sar Tan se Juda’ slogans raised by the Islamists at the Eid Milad processions. During the processions, the Islamists also damaged public property and created a ruckus. Nepal is witnessing a communal tension like this almost after 26 years. Following the reports of violence, the India-Nepal Rupaidiha border has been sealed. Videos of Islamists pelting stones at Hindus went viral on social media.
Chief District Officer (CDO) Bipin Acharya, in an official statement, explained that the administration has implemented prohibitory orders to safeguard the safety of the general public and maintain peace in the area. He further emphasized that gatherings, rallies, and unrestricted movement within specific areas of Banke district, from the Rapti River Bridge in the east to the road leading to Indrapur of Khajura in the west, Ranjha Chowk in the north, and the Jamunaha checkpoint in the south, would not be permitted. It was also made clear that individuals found in violation of these orders would face legal consequences.
On October 2, the District Administration Office of Banke issued a notice, urging people to refrain from engaging in activities that might offend religious sentiments. The administration also called upon the public to avoid participating in blame games on social media platforms.
Area police chief Santosh Rathore said officers were patrolling the city and people were not allowed to leave their homes or gather in groups during the lockdown.
Officials said they needed to impose the stay-at-home order and stop people from gathering together to prevent any more clashes between the two sides.
On social media platform X, a user named Treeni provided a detailed account of the events that unfolded during the Eid procession in Nepal. The user shared a video in which slogans like ‘Sar tan se juda’ and ‘Labaik labkail’ could be heard.
After Bharat, it’s now Nepal!
“Sar Tan Se Juda” & “Labaik… Labkail” slogans rock Nepal’s Nepalganj, preceded with stone pelting, fire and arson.
Some unseen videos from Nepalganj violence in which Hindus – peacefully minding their own business – were attacked.
A THREAD- pic.twitter.com/7X5H1X5368
— Treeni (@_treeni) October 4, 2023
The procession commenced from the Tribhuvan Circle of Nepalganj. Unfortunately, some individuals in the procession, identified as Islamists, allegedly engaged in acts of arson and reportedly attacked Hindus. These videos were disseminated by Nepali Muslim pages on social media.
The X user pointed out a person named Sharafat Khan as the leader of the procession. Khan holds the position of ward president in Ward 5 of Nepalganj.
Sharafat Khan publicly gave provocative speeches inciting the Muslim mob to start rioting against Hindus.
Remember: This is the FIRST CASE of communal riots in Nepal in the past 26 years pic.twitter.com/TKapjrFIt8
— Treeni (@_treeni) October 4, 2023
Videos surfaced showing Khan allegedly encouraging Islamists against Hindus, with ‘Sar tan se juda’ slogans being chanted in his presence, according to the content shared by the X user.
In response to the procession and the divisive slogans, The Omkar Family, a Hindu group, called for a Nepalganj Bandh. However, during their peaceful protest rally, they were met with an attack from Islamists who hurled stones and petrol bombs from buildings.
Which then resulted in a fierce violence.
Omkar family in self-defence began retaliatory stone-pelting.
A curfew order has now been issued after police and protesters were injured in the clashes.
Sharafat Khan is still a free man.
End – pic.twitter.com/hPmPahAOsM
— Treeni (@_treeni) October 4, 2023
This assault on Hindus resulted in communal clashes in the area, prompting the administration to impose prohibition orders.
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