KATHMANDU: Madhesh Pradesh Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh has called for peace, tolerance, and social harmony following unrest in Birgunj triggered by incidents during a Hanuman Jayanti procession.
In a press statement issued through his Press Advisor Anil Kumar Karna, the Chief Minister emphasized that the administration and police are in constant communication with all concerned parties to ensure public safety and restore normalcy. The statement condemned the acts of violence and tension instigated during the religious procession and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
“Peace and tolerance can only be preserved through mutual respect and brotherhood among all religious, cultural, and ethnic communities,” the statement said. It added that the police have been directed to investigate and take action against anyone involved in spreading communal unrest.
Chief Minister Singh described Birgunj as a unique symbol of religious and cultural diversity and lamented that its social fabric is being strained. “As the industrial hub of the nation and the pride of Madhesh, it is deeply unfortunate to see Birgunj being destabilized under any pretext,” he said.
Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav also took to social media, urging the local administration to take firm legal action against those disturbing the peace — whether by making inflammatory remarks, damaging property, or inciting violence on platforms like Facebook.
“Since the tension erupted in my city, I have been in constant contact with the Parsa district administration and police,” he posted, adding that efforts are ongoing to promote reconciliation through dialogue with community leaders.
He noted that Birgunj has a long-standing tradition of communal harmony and shared celebrations. “This city has always resolved misunderstandings through mutual dialogue. Birgunj is like a flower garden for everyone — protecting its peace is our shared duty,” he added.
Meanwhile, Parsa Police Chief Gautam Mishra confirmed that four individuals from both communities have been arrested in connection with the violence that occurred during the Hanuman Jayanti procession. “We are continuing the search for other suspects. Additionally, two individuals who defied prohibitory orders and staged protests in front of the police office have been detained,” he said.
During a protest at the Parsa District Police Office on Tuesday evening, three journalists — Arjun Gupta, Anil Ojha, and Dhirendra Tiwari — sustained injuries. The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Parsa Chapter, condemned the incident.
Despite police presence in key areas, protestors reportedly continued burning tires and demonstrating in parts of Birgunj and its surrounding localities, taking advantage of gaps in security coverage.
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