KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Shah pledges impartial probe into Sunsari, Madhesh incidents
Prime Minister Balen Shah has said the government is serious and sensitive about the recent communal unrest in Sunsari’s Dewanganj, Siraha and other Madhesh districts, pledging an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible. Addressing the nation on Thursday evening, Shah paid tribute to those killed in the violence — Jayaprakash Mehta, Om Prakash Mehta and Ganesh Yadav — and extended condolences to their families. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured and said authorities had been instructed to ensure there is no delay or shortcoming in their treatment. The Prime Minister said security agencies were immediately mobilized after the incidents to restore order, prevent further violence and maintain law and order. He noted that the Home Ministry has already formed an investigation committee and assured that the probe would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Shah reiterated that anyone found responsible for the violence would be brought under the ambit of the law, adding that the government remains committed to preventing further loss of life and property while restoring public confidence in the affected areas.
President Paudel urges PM Balen to maintain harmony through political consensus
President Ramchandra Paudel has urged Prime Minister Balen Shah to work together with political parties and all stakeholders to bring the situation under control and maintain social harmony. Prime Minister Shah met President Paudel at Shital Niwas on Thursday evening, marking his first meeting with the President after assuming office. During the meeting, Shah briefed Paudel on the situation that emerged following the incident in Sunsari and the government’s response. According to President Paudel’s Press Adviser Kiran Pokharel, the President sought information from Prime Minister Shah about the recent violent incidents and the overall situation in different parts of the country.
PM Shah holds talks with ministers ahead of address to nation
Prime Minister Balen Shah has begun consultations with Cabinet ministers ahead of his planned address to the nation on the fifth day of communal tensions that began in Kaptanganj, Sunsari. According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the scheduled address was delayed as Shah convened a meeting with ministers at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. He is expected to address the nation immediately after the meeting concludes. The Prime Minister had earlier decided to deliver a televised address following the escalation of tensions between two communities in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Sunsari. As part of the government’s response, Shah has dispatched Home Minister Sudan Gurung to the affected area to oversee efforts to restore normalcy.
One killed in police firing as unrest escalates in Siraha
One person was killed after police opened fire in Golbazar, Siraha, as tensions between two communities escalated despite a curfew imposed by the local administration. The deceased has been identified as Ganesh Yadav. His body has been kept at a local hospital, according to local authorities. Several others were seriously injured in the police firing. Some protesters were also seen lying injured on the streets during the unrest. The violence comes as tensions that began in Kaptanganj, Dewanganj Rural Municipality of Sunsari, on Sunday night continue to spread across Madhes Province, resulting in growing unrest and property damage.
CIB questions businessman Upendra Mahato over telecom probe
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has questioned businessman Upendra Mahato as part of an ongoing investigation. According to the CIB, Mahato was summoned to provide information regarding issues related to private telecom service providers Ncell and Smart Telecom. A CIB source said Mahato’s statement was recorded as part of an investigation into allegations that Smart Telecom’s assets were illegally auctioned, causing financial losses to the government. CIB Chief Additional Inspector General (AIG) Uma Prasad Chaturvedi confirmed that Mahato had been questioned. However, he said no further details could be disclosed as the investigation is ongoing.
Curfews imposed in four districts as Sunsari unrest spreads across Madhesh
Authorities have imposed curfews and prohibitory orders in parts of Sunsari, Siraha, Dhanusha and Parsa as tensions triggered by Sunday’s deadly incident in Kaptanganj, Sunsari, continue to spread across the Madhesh region. District administrations in the four districts said the restrictions have been enforced at different times and locations based on the local security situation to maintain law and order. In Sunsari, the curfew imposed across 10 local units on Tuesday night remains in effect. The situation worsened after the unrest spread into Madhes on Wednesday. In Siraha, one youth was killed in police firing in Golbazar, while incidents of arson and vandalism have been reported in several locations.
PM Shah’s silence comes under scrutiny as unrest spreads
Prime Minister Balen Shah is facing mounting criticism over his silence as clashes between police and protesters continue in several districts, five days after tensions first erupted in Sunsari and spread across Koshi and Madhesh provinces. While former King Gyanendra Shah, President Ram Chandra Paudel and leaders of several political parties, including the opposition, have publicly appealed for restraint and calm, the Prime Minister has so far limited his response to a statement on social media without issuing an official government address. The absence of a formal response from the government has drawn criticism, with questions being raised over the Prime Minister’s handling of the crisis.
Rabi Lamichhane directs RSP lawmakers to promote communal harmony in districts
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has instructed the party’s lawmakers to visit their respective districts with a message of communal harmony and social cohesion. The directive was issued on Thursday following Lamichhane’s meeting with RSP lawmakers representing Koshi and Madhesh provinces. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bara-4 lawmaker Rahbar Ansari said the party chair had asked MPs to actively work towards strengthening communal harmony and promoting tolerance. Lamichhane also instructed the lawmakers to play a coordinating role in restoring normalcy in districts affected by recent violence and to engage with local stakeholders to help ease tensions.
Nepali worker killed in Iranian strike on Chinese firm’s facility in Kuwait
A Nepali migrant worker has been killed in Kuwait following an Iranian strike, highlighting the growing impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict on Nepali nationals employed abroad. The worker, who was employed as a driver, died in an Iranian attack in northern Kuwait on Thursday morning, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Kshetri. Kshetri said the government has yet to receive detailed information about the incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait to obtain a full report. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the strike hit a building belonging to a Chinese company in the country’s northern region, killing the Nepali worker and causing significant structural damage.
Prohibitory order imposed in Birgunj
A prohibitory order has been imposed in Birgunj Metropolitan City of Parsa following protests over the Kaptangunj incident in Sunsari. The District Administration Office, Parsa, issued the order from 5:00 pm on Thursday until 6:00 am on Friday. Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal said the order prohibits gatherings of more than five people, as well as meetings, processions, demonstrations, and other public assemblies. According to the administration, the restricted area extends from Pratima Chowk in the east to the Bus Park Bypass Road in the west, from Tilawe Bridge in the north to Gandak Chowk and Shankaracharya Gate in the south.
HoR adjourned for five days amid growing national tensions
The House of Representatives (HoR) has been adjourned for five days. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal adjourned Thursday’s meeting, which was held after a gap of 16 days, until 1:00 pm on August 4. Meanwhile, ppposition parties have criticized the decision, saying that Parliament, the forum where the people’s voice is expressed, has been adjourned for another five days at a time when the national situation is deteriorating due to religious violence and rising tensions. A source at the Federal Parliament Secretariat said the House had to be postponed due to a lack of legislative business.
Sunsari tensions spread to Siraha as protests intensify
Protests that began following tensions between two communities in Sunsari and subsequently spread to other districts have intensified in Siraha. The situation has worsened as incidents of arson and looting have been reported at various locations across the district. The Nepal Army has also been deployed in the field amid the escalating unrest. One person has died after being shot as tensions continue to rise in the district.
UML Chair Oli calls for national unity and peace
CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has called for national unity and peace. In a statement issued on Thursday, Oli urged all sections of society to unite in the interest of the nation and maintain peace. “Problems cannot be solved through conflict and violence. Dialogue, consensus, and responsible cooperation will provide a way for the country to overcome the current complexities,” he said in the statement. “At a time when the nation’s existence, peace and security, and social harmony are facing challenges, I sincerely call upon all political parties, civil society, intellectuals, and leaders of various religious and social communities to unite for the national interest and peace.”
RSP Chair Lamichhane holds talks with MPs from Koshi and Madhesh
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has begun discussions with lawmakers from Koshi and Madhesh provinces over the country’s latest developments and the escalating security situation. According to Abinash Acharya, a member of Lamichhane’s secretariat, the RSP chair is currently holding discussions with the provincial MPs. Tensions have continued for five days since clashes broke out between two groups in Sunsari on Sunday. Similar clashes have also been reported in various districts of Koshi and Madhesh provinces. Three people have so far died in clashes between police and protesters in different parts of the country. A person was also killed in Siraha shortly before the latest discussions after being shot by police.
Siraha sees scenes reminiscent of September 9 as protesters set fire to AB Mall
Tensions have escalated in Golbazar, Siraha, following the death of a youth in police firing. Protesters set fire to AB Mall in Golbazar as demonstrations turned violent. The mall, operated by Siraha Supermarket, was set ablaze in a manner reminiscent of the arson attack on Bhat-Bhateni on September 9, 2025. Incidents of vandalism and arson have intensified at various locations across the district during the protests. Although the Nepal Army has also been deployed on the streets, tensions have continued to escalate rather than ease. The District Administration Office has imposed curfew orders in several areas of Siraha, including Golbazar, in an effort to prevent further incidents. However, the restrictions have so far failed to bring the situation under control.
Home Minister Gurung heading to Sunsari as Kaptanganj tensions spread to Madhes
Home Minister Sudan Gurung is set to leave Kathmandu for Sunsari on Thursday, five days after tensions between two communities erupted in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Sunsari. Gurung had earlier remained in Kathmandu while sending his personal assistant James Karki to the affected area. He is now scheduled to travel to Sunsari on Thursday afternoon. The decision to send the Home Minister comes as the tensions originating in Sunsari have spread across Madhes Province. Prime Minister Balen Shah decided to dispatch Gurung to Sunsari amid growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation. Earlier on Thursday, Shah held a meeting of the National Security Council in the presence of Home Minister Gurung. The meeting decided to take special initiatives to address the deteriorating law and order situation across the country.
Gyanendra Shah urges unity amid Sunsari communal tensions
Gyanendra Shah has expressed concern over the communal tensions in Sunsari and urged all Nepalis to preserve mutual harmony, tolerance and social unity. In a goodwill message issued from Nirmal Niwas on Thursday, the former king said Nepal’s identity and global recognition have been built on its multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-religious and multicultural character. “We Nepalis have lived together with mutual respect, happiness and affection since the beginning of Nepal’s formation. This unique religious, cultural and social character has earned us respect around the world,” the statement said. “We must not allow this national identity and pride to be weakened, and no one should disrupt it.”
Nepali migrant workers required to submit detailed job descriptions from today
Nepali workers leaving the country for foreign employment must now submit detailed job descriptions from Thursday. According to the Ministry of Youth and Labour, the provision was introduced following a ministerial-level decision on July 29, requiring workers to provide comprehensive details about the nature of their jobs before departure. The ministry has also strengthened the verification process for agreements between workers and employers regarding destination countries, terms and conditions of employment, salaries and other facilities. The move aims to make foreign employment procedures more transparent and ensure better protection of Nepali migrant workers.
UML lawmaker Aryal urges govt to reopen Public Service Commission exams
CPN-UML Secretary Padma Kumari Aryal has urged the government to resume Public Service Commission examinations, saying the decision to halt the process has affected young job seekers. Speaking during Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Aryal criticized the government for suspending the examinations and demanded their immediate reopening. She said many youths had been preparing for PSC exams when the government suddenly stopped the process, creating uncertainty about their future. “Is the government’s intention to prevent skilled and educated citizens of this country from staying here?” Aryal questioned.
NC demands govt take responsibility for Sunsari incident
The Nepali Congress has demanded that the government take full responsibility for the incident that occurred in Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Kaptanganj, Sunsari. Speaking at the beginning of Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Basana Thapa called for a fair and credible investigation into the incident. Thapa criticized the Prime Minister and Home Minister for remaining silent after the violence and questioned why the situation reached a point where security forces had to open fire, resulting in the loss of a civilian life.
Landslides, flooding obstruct traffic on multiple highways
Vehicular movement has been disrupted in several districts following heavy rainfall, landslides and flooding, according to Nepal Police. Police said some highways have been completely blocked, while traffic has been restricted on several road sections during nighttime. The Mechi Highway has been completely obstructed at Ilam Municipality-9 after rainfall turned the road muddy, halting vehicular movement. The Araniko Highway has also been blocked following landslides at Jirokilo and Kodari in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchowk district.
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