KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Sunsari administration revises curfew zones, indefinite restrictions remain in force
The District Administration Office (DAO), Sunsari, has revised the areas under an indefinite curfew following tensions in the district. The administration had earlier imposed an indefinite curfew from 7:00 am on Monday covering five designated areas. However, a fresh notice issued later in the day altered the curfew boundaries.
Dr. Govinda KC ends hunger strike after reaching seven-point agreement with government
Dr. Govinda KC has ended his hunger strike after his representatives and a government negotiation team reached a seven-point agreement. Dr. KC, who had been on a hunger strike in Dhangadhi since Thursday, broke his fast by drinking juice following the agreement.
How long will the Oli–Prachanda alliance last?
Nepal’s communist politics has entered another phase of realignment after the CPN-UML and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) agreed to revive political cooperation, 754 days after their previous partnership collapsed. UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and NCP Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ signed a three-point written agreement on Saturday at Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, paving the way for new coalition governments in several provinces. The agreement focuses primarily on forming new provincial governments through alliance between the two parties. Under the proposed arrangement, UML will lead governments in Koshi, Bagmati and Lumbini provinces, while NCP will take the chief ministerial positions in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
Both Nepali Police and APF SPs were away during Sunsari violence
A violent clash between two communities in Kaptanganj Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 in Sunsari has exposed a leadership vacuum in the district’s security agencies, with the chiefs of both Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF) absent. Superintendent of Police (SP) Keshav Kumar Thebe, chief of the District Police Office, has been on leave for the past four days after travelling outside the district to care for his ailing father. Similarly, Koshi Province Police Chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Ghimire is also on leave.
After years of waiting, Nagdhunga tunnel enters operation phase
The Nagdhunga-Sisnekhola Tunnel has been formally inaugurated, marking a major milestone in Nepal’s transport infrastructure development. Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal inaugurated the tunnel in the presence of Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko. However, the tunnel will not be opened to all vehicles immediately. According to Project Deputy Director Sanjay Panthi, only ambulances, fire engines, security vehicles and other essential service vehicles will be allowed during the initial phase. After a trial operation period of around three months and an assessment of safety measures and traffic management, other vehicles will be permitted to use the tunnel in phases.
Nagdhunga tunnel project approved at first Cabinet meeting of Jhalanath Khanal government
The long-awaited Nagdhunga–Sisnekhola Tunnel was officially inaugurated on Monday, marking the completion of a project first approved by the government of then Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal nearly 15 years ago. The tunnel was inaugurated by Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal in the presence of Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko. Although the tunnel has been one of Nepal’s most discussed infrastructure projects for more than a decade, the formal decision to build it was taken by the Cabinet led by Khanal shortly after he assumed office.
Minister Lamsal vows to address concerns of Nagdhunga tunnel-affected locals
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Sunil Lamsal has assured residents affected by the Nagdhunga Tunnel project that their concerns will be addressed after they staged a protest at the tunnel’s inauguration site on Monday. The minister met representatives of the Simadhara Dahachowk-4 Drinking Water Consumers Committee before the inauguration and listened to their demands. The protesters called for guaranteed operation of the local drinking water project, compensation and repair for cracked houses, assurance of water lifting from the Sisnekhola, convenient local access along the tunnel route, and measures to ensure employment opportunities and the safety of local residents.
Sunsari clash: Army deployed as tensions escalate
Security was stepped up in Sunsari after a violent clash between two communities in Kaptanganj (New Hatiya) of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 in Sunsari district, left one person dead and several others injured. The violence reportedly erupted over a dispute involving the placement of flags and the use of DJs during a ‘Bolbom’ pilgrimage procession. Twenty-four-year-old Om Prakash Mehta was killed after police opened fire while attempting to bring the situation under control. Several other locals sustained gunshot injuries, while 13 security personnel were also injured during the clashes.
Sunsari incident: Police opened fire after efforts to defuse clash failed
One person was killed and 22 others were injured after a clash between two groups in Kaptanganj, Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 of Sunsari. The local administration said the incident was linked to a religious dispute. The confrontation began at around 9:00 pm on Sunday when a group of youths was preparing for the ‘Bolbam’ pilgrimage scheduled for Monday. The group was playing loud music through a DJ while heading towards Kaptanganj Chowk to collect water from the Saptakoshi River for the religious procession. Another group objected to the loud music, saying it was disturbing residents late at night. An argument between the two sides soon escalated into a physical confrontation before turning into a violent clash between the two communities.
Indefinite curfew imposed in five areas of Sunsari after deadly clash
The local administration imposed an indefinite curfew in five market areas of southern Sunsari after a violent clash between two groups in Kaptanganj Bazaar, Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, left one person dead and 22 others injured. Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire issued the curfew order, which came into effect at 7:00 am on Monday and will remain in force until further notice. The order bans all public gatherings, processions, demonstrations and meetings in the affected areas.
Woman dies after self-immolation attempt in Boudha
A woman who attempted self-immolation in Boudha earlier this week has died while undergoing treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital. The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Salu Gurung, a resident of Temal Rural Municipality-3 in Kavrepalanchok who had been living in Boudha. According to police, Gurung allegedly poured petrol over herself and set herself on fire on the night of July 20 (Shrawan 4) in the parking area behind her snack shop.
Five-member panel formed to probe Sunsari incident
The government has formed a five-member committee to investigate the incident in Sunsari. The committee is coordinated by Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Bhupendra Thapa. The committee has been given one week to submit its report. The local administration imposed a curfew after one person was killed in police firing while security personnel attempted to control a clash between two groups in Kaptanganj, Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Sunsari. Following the incident, Home Minister Sudan Gurung held discussions with security chiefs at the ministry, after which the investigation committee was formed.
Cooperative scam victims renew protests, demand return of savings
Victims of cooperative fraud hit the streets of Kathmandu on Monday, calling on the government to ensure the swift return of their savings and implement a credible mechanism to protect depositors’ funds. The demonstration, organized by the National Campaign for Cooperative Depositors Protection, started at Maitighar before proceeding to the office of the Problematic Cooperative Management Committee in Buddhanagar. Protesters also planned to march to the National Cooperative Regulatory Authority in Pulchowk. Participants carried copies of past agreements reached with the government and displayed placards bearing slogans including “Justice for cooperative victims,” “Return our savings with interest,” and “End licensed fraud.”
NEPSE drops 33 points despite turnover exceeding Rs 6.7 billion
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index declined by 33.28 points on Monday, erasing the previous session’s gains of 7.90 points. Following the drop, the benchmark index closed at 2,701 points. The market opened on a positive note and climbed to an intraday high of 2,744 points at around 12:13 pm before reversing course and remaining in negative territory for the rest of the session. Despite the decline, trading activity increased significantly, with daily turnover rising to Rs 6.7 billion, up from Rs 4.67 billion in the previous session. Share prices of 35 companies advanced, while 235 declined and five remained unchanged.
Two women found dead at same location in Nawalparasi
Two women who were found unconscious near Aklamai Temple in Gaindakot Municipality-10 of East Nawalparasi have been declared dead by doctors. The deceased have been identified as 38-year-old Kabita Rai of Jaimini Municipality-9, Baglung, who was residing in Harkapur of Gaindakot Municipality-12, and Kanchhi Rai of Bhojpur, who was working at a cow farm in Pitauji of Gaindakot Municipality-10. According to police, a team was deployed after receiving information that two women were found unconscious on the roadside near Aklamai Temple along the East-West Highway. The police rescued both women and rushed them to Bhedabari Municipal Hospital, where doctors declared them dead during treatment.
Minister Mehta calls for social harmony after Sunsari clash
Minister for Health and Food Safety Nisha Mehta has expressed sorrow over the tragic incident in Dewanganj, Sunsari, and urged all sides to maintain peace, restraint and social harmony amid the tense situation. Paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the incident, Minister Mehta extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured. Her secretariat said efforts are being coordinated to ensure that the injured receive necessary medical treatment. The minister appealed to the public not to believe unverified information or rumors during the sensitive period and urged everyone to avoid activities that could disturb social harmony.
Law minister calls for legal reforms aligned with public aspirations
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam has stressed the need to amend existing laws and enact new legislation in line with people’s aspirations to accelerate the country’s development. Speaking to local journalists on Sunday, Minister Gautam said outdated laws have become obstacles to effective governance and timely implementation of development plans. “It is difficult to deliver results if laws are framed according to the preferences of political leaders rather than the aspirations of the people,” she said. Gautam noted that the government has declared fiscal year 2026/27 (2083/84 BS) as the ‘Year of Legal Reform’, with plans to formulate or amend 166 laws during the current fiscal year.
Gold and silver prices continue to rise in domestic market
The prices of gold and silver, which increased on Sunday, continued to rise on Monday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold increased by Rs 1,400 per tola on Monday, reaching Rs 288,500 per tola. The price stood at Rs 287,100 per tola on Sunday after rising by Rs 1,600. Gold prices, which had fallen by Rs 5,800 per tola last Friday, have been rising steadily over the past two trading days. Similarly, the price of silver increased by Rs 35 per tola on Monday to reach Rs 4,445. On Sunday, silver prices had risen by Rs 60 per tola to Rs 4,410.
38% progress achieved in eastern section of Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road expansion project
Around 38 percent physical progress has been achieved so far in the eastern section of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road expansion and upgrading project being constructed along the East–West Highway. The 95-kilometer project, being implemented under the Project Directorate of the Department of Roads, has been divided into eastern and western sections. The eastern section covers the 45-kilometer stretch from Kakarbhitta to Sitapuri, where construction work has gained momentum in recent months. According to the latest project details, the combined physical progress of the first, second and third packages under the eastern section has reached 37.78 percent. Although construction has accelerated recently, only around six months remain before the current contract period expires, making an extension necessary.
Gokul Baskota satirizes UML-NCP power-sharing deal
CPN-UML leader Gokul Baskota has criticized the power-sharing agreement reached between the chairpersons of the CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), comparing the political arrangement to Bijay Malla’s play ‘Antim Bhoj’ (The Last Supper). In a satirical post on social media, Baskota said such alliances have become limited to forming and toppling governments rather than addressing broader political issues. He argued that repeated changes in political partnerships need serious review. Baskota said the latest UML-NCP cooperation appears aimed only at gaining an advantage over Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba in the power equation.
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