KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah has come under increasing criticism over his handling of the unrest in Sunsari district, with opposition leaders, political analysts, and local representatives questioning the government’s public response to the violence that has left one person dead and more than 20 injured.
The violence erupted on Sunday in Dewanganj, about 25 kilometers south of Inaruwa, following clashes between two groups. According to local authorities, 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta was killed after being shot during the incident. More than 20 people, including police officers and protesters, were injured, with several sustaining gunshot wounds and receiving treatment in Biratnagar.
Critics argue that despite the seriousness of the incident, Prime Minister Shah neither addressed the nation nor convened an all-party meeting in the immediate aftermath. Instead, he issued a statement on social media late Tuesday, saying the government was treating the matter seriously, had mobilized state agencies, and was committed to an impartial investigation while urging all sides to remain calm.
With the Prime Minister not calling a meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane convened an all-party discussion on Wednesday attended by leaders from major political parties. Participants called for dialogue, restraint, and a fair investigation into the violence.
According to those present, leaders including Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa, CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden, Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda,” Janamat Party Chair CK Raut, and representatives of other parties stressed that the government should take a more active role in resolving the crisis through dialogue.
The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle, who reportedly said that state agencies had been mobilized to investigate the incident. However, participants said he did not indicate that he was representing the Prime Minister at the meeting.
Opposition leaders criticized the Prime Minister’s absence, arguing that the country’s chief executive should have personally led efforts to calm tensions and coordinate political dialogue. Several participants also questioned the silence of Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, saying the government had failed to provide visible leadership during the crisis.
The Prime Minister’s Secretariat rejected claims that the government had been inactive, stating that Shah had publicly appealed for restraint through social media, instructed authorities to conduct an impartial investigation, and directed relevant agencies to take necessary action. The Secretariat maintained that the government was taking the situation seriously.
Political analysts nevertheless argued that a televised address or an all-party meeting led by the Prime Minister could have helped ease tensions earlier. Some suggested that delays in political engagement allowed the situation to escalate further.
Meanwhile, Lamichhane also met President Ram Chandra Paudel on Wednesday to discuss the Sunsari situation. His outreach has fueled debate over the respective roles of the Prime Minister and the ruling party chairman in responding to national crises.
Separately, Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki convened an all-party meeting to discuss the unrest. Participants agreed on the need for a thorough investigation, support for the victim’s family, compensation, and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Speaker of the House also urged Prime Minister Shah to address Parliament regarding both the Sunsari violence and the broader political situation, following demands from opposition parties.
According to journalists reporting from the ground, a curfew remains in effect in parts of Dewanganj, although the security situation has gradually improved. Security forces, including the Nepal Army, continue to maintain a strong presence in the affected areas.
Local residents have called for justice for the victim, compensation for the bereaved family, free treatment for those injured, and sustained dialogue among political leaders, community representatives, and government authorities to prevent further communal tensions.
Residents and local observers say the dispute had been building for more than a month over disagreements involving public symbols and local activities before escalating into violent clashes on Sunday. While tensions have begun to ease, they stress that continued dialogue and accountability will be essential to restoring lasting peace.
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