KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM directs heightened vigilance after briefing on Sunsari security situation
Prime Minister Balen Shah on Wednesday received separate security briefings from the chiefs of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force regarding the incident that occurred in Sunsari on Sunday night and the subsequent law and order situation. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Shah, in the presence of Home Minister Sudan Gurung, held separate meetings with Inspector General of Nepal Police Dan Bahadur Karki and Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Narayan Datta Poudel. During the briefings, the security chiefs updated the Prime Minister on the latest situation in Sunsari, the prevailing security challenges and potential risks.
Cabinet approves package of bills, makes key appointments
The Cabinet has approved a series of legislative proposals, including amendments to existing laws and new bills to be tabled in the Federal Parliament. Announcing the decisions made at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel said the government had endorsed bills relating to the remuneration of office-bearers of constitutional bodies, mines and minerals, control of infectious animal diseases, passports, human trafficking, child labour prohibition, domestic air services, mediation and the Employees Provident Fund for parliamentary consideration. The Cabinet also designated the Director General of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, or an official authorised by the director general, as the investigating authority for offences related to foreign exchange violations, Pokharel said.
Security tightened along Nepal-India border after Dewanganj violence; ID mandatory for Indian nationals
Security has been tightened along the Nepal-India border following the recent violence in Dewanganj, Sunsari, with authorities making identity documents mandatory for Indian nationals entering Nepal. The Koshi Provincial Government has stepped up security at southern border checkpoints adjoining India and instructed security agencies to remain on high alert. The decision was made at an all-party security meeting held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law in Biratnagar on Wednesday, where officials reviewed the security situation in the border region.
Koshi government announces relief for Dewanganj victims, adopts eight-point action plan
The Koshi Provincial Government has announced relief assistance for victims of the recent violence in Dewanganj, Sunsari, including Rs200,000 for the family of the deceased and Rs50,000 each for those injured and families whose homes, shops or other property were damaged in arson attacks. The announcement was made following an all-party and multi-stakeholder meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki on Wednesday. The meeting also endorsed an eight-point action plan aimed at restoring peace, security and communal harmony. The meeting was convened in response to the violence that erupted on July 26 (Shrawan 10). Participants paid tribute to Om Prakash Mehta, who was killed in the incident, and expressed condolences to his family while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
Tiger census: Nepal’s tiger population rises to 429
Nepal’s tiger population has increased to 429, according to the latest national tiger census. The Ministry of Forests and Environment released the Tiger Census Report 2026 on Tuesday to mark Global Tiger Day. Minister for Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary unveiled the report. According to the census, Chitwan National Park has the highest number of tigers at 145, followed by Bardiya National Park with 112, Parsa National Park with 71, Banke National Park with 51, and Shuklaphanta National Park with 50. Officials said the increase in tiger numbers is attributed to improvements in protected areas and habitat management in recent years. Nepal conducts a tiger census every four years.
Rabi briefs President on all-party meeting
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane met President Ram Chandra Poudel on Wednesday. Lamichhane visited the President’s official residence, Sheetal Niwas, and held discussions with President Poudel. During the meeting, Lamichhane briefed the President on the all-party meeting convened to discuss the current political situation and the Sunsari incident, according to the President’s Secretariat.
Nine parties call for dialogue, restraint, and unity
Nine political parties, including the host Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), have jointly issued a seven-point statement following an all-party meeting held on Wednesday morning, pledging unity to safeguard national unity and social harmony. The meeting was convened at Singha Durbar at the initiative of RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane. Leaders from various political parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and other participating parties, issued a joint statement after discussing the recent sensitive and tragic incidents in Sunsari and other districts and the tensions that followed. In the statement, the parties expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent incidents and extended sympathy to the bereaved families. They also wished for the speedy recovery of injured citizens and security personnel.
PM Shah serious about resolving Sunsari crisis: Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has said that Prime Minister Balen Shah is taking serious and comprehensive initiatives to resolve the situation in Sunsari, which has remained tense over the past few days. Presenting the government’s position at an all-party meeting held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday morning, Wagle, who is also the Vice Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), said the Prime Minister is personally coordinating efforts to restore normalcy in the district. Stating that the government is fully sensitive to the tragic incident in Sunsari and the tensions that followed, Wagle said, “The Prime Minister is very serious about maintaining social harmony in Sunsari, strengthening security arrangements, providing compensation to the families of the victims of the tragic incident, and ensuring proper treatment for the injured. The government is taking all necessary initiatives under his coordination.”
Army begins aerial patrols in Dewanganj as curfew remains in force
Security has been further tightened in Sunsari’s Dewanganj following clashes between two communities, with the Nepal Army launching aerial patrols and security agencies stepping up surveillance in the affected areas. The Nepal Army began helicopter patrols on Wednesday morning, while Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the Army have jointly intensified security operations. The curfew imposed in the affected areas remains in effect. Meanwhile, the committee formed to investigate the incident, along with the District Security Committee, conducted an on-site inspection and met the family of 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta, who was killed in the violence.
Narayani Hospital doctors resign en masse over assault on medical officer
Doctors at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj submitted their resignations en masse on Tuesday in protest against the assault on medical officer Dr. Pramod Ram Shah. The incident occurred on Saturday after 45-year-old Raj Kumar Patel of Birgunj Metropolitan City–25 died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Alleging medical negligence, Patel’s relatives reportedly attacked Dr. Shah and vandalized hospital property. Dr. Shah sustained serious injuries in the assault and was airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. He has been receiving care at the National Trauma Center since Monday.
Vice President Yadav appeals to everyone for maintaining harmony
Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav has expressed concern over the recent incidents occurred in Sunsari and appealed to everyone to maintain peace and harmony. Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the Vice President expressed grief over the death of a person in the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family members. Vice President Yadav wished speedy recovery to the injured citizens and security persons and hoped effective treatment. “Unity, tolerance, mutual fraternity, reconciliation, friendship and social harmony are essential features of diversity in Nepal. I urge all citizens to exercise restraint, stay away from whims, violence or confrontations and demonstrate responsible behaviour.” The Vice President also requested all sides to put forth their demands responsibly and in a restrained manner because the peaceful dialogue is key to resolution. He urged the concerned sides to play role for building an environment of trust with mutual coordination among local administration, religious leaders and civil society.
Two members added to probe panel investigating Sunsari incident
The government has expanded the committee formed to investigate the recent incident in Sunsari by appointing two additional members with expertise in ballistic and forensic analysis. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday made a secretary-level decision to appoint Police Inspector Dipesh Awasthi and Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Singh Dhami as members of the probe committee, according to the ministry’s spokesperson Anand Kafle. The government had formed a five-member investigation committee on Monday under the coordination of Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa to examine the incident. The ministry has instructed the committee to submit its report as soon as possible. Kafle said the ministry has also begun preventive measures to avert similar incidents in Sunsari and other districts. Necessary coordination is being carried out through chief district officers in Banke, Kapilvastu, Dhanusha, Siraha and Saptari to maintain peace, public order and communal harmony.
PM Balen Shah appointed RSP senior leader
Prime Minister Balen Shah has been appointed as the senior leader of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The decision was taken during the party’s Central Committee meeting held at Ghantighar in Banasthali, Kathmandu, on Wednesday, in line with a resolution passed during the party’s first General Convention in Chitwan. Although Shah was not nominated as a Central Committee member, the Chitwan General Convention had unanimously decided to appoint him as the party’s senior leader. Acting on that decision, RSP Chair Ravi Lamichhane formally endorsed his appointment during Wednesday’s meeting. Meanwhile, the party has yet to finalise appointments to several other key positions, including vice-chairpersons.
Prime Minister, Speaker hold talks on parliamentary affairs
Speaker DP Aryal met Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Tuesday to discuss current parliamentary matters, according to the Speaker’s Secretariat. Aryal also held separate meetings with CPN-UML parliamentary party leader Ram Bahadur Thapa, Leader of the Opposition Bhishma Raj Angdembe, and Nepal Communist Party leader Barshaman Pun. The discussions focused on making the House of Representatives more effective, dignified and result-oriented, improving the management of parliamentary proceedings, and exchanging views on contemporary parliamentary issues, the Secretariat said. Earlier on Tuesday, the Speaker also met chief whips and whips of various political parties.
Cabinet silent on Sunsari unrest; government spokesperson leaves without answering reporters
The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Balen Shah, made no formal decision or public statement on the ongoing communal unrest in Sunsari during its meeting on Wednesday, despite growing questions over the government’s handling of the situation. The Cabinet meeting, held at 4 pm, was attended by Prime Minister Shah, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and other ministers. The unrest, which began on Sunday following violent clashes between two communities in Devanaganj, Sunsari, has left one person dead, several others injured, and prompted curfews and heightened security measures in the district. However, while announcing the Cabinet’s decisions after the meeting, government spokesperson and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmit Pokharel did not mention the Sunsari situation.
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