RAUTAHAT, Feb 22: Even as CPN UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and several other leaders have been saying the environment for elections is not yet in place, Gaur bazaar in Rautahat has remained tense for the past three days.
After tensions and clashes between two communities that began in Sabgadha of Gaur Municipality failed to subside, the Rautahat District Administration Office imposed a curfew on Saturday afternoon and even mobilized the Nepali Army.
The army deployed for election security is currently keeping not only Gaur bazaar but the entire Madhes under surveillance. The incident in Gaur has raised questions over the security situation of the whole Madhesh Province. The district administration has also indicated signs that forces seeking to disrupt the elections could exploit the situation.
In particular, Gaur turned tense after clashes erupted when members of the Hindu community raised slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and members of the Muslim community responded with “Nara e Takbir.” Slogans raised to provoke the other side created conditions for confrontation, keeping Gaur tense since Thursday night. Even after the curfew order was issued on Saturday, the market area remained uneasy. Although the situation appears to be a clash between two communities, it is not being taken lightly as elections are approaching.
Amid concerns that the tension in Gaur could pose challenges to election security, the Central Security Committee convened a meeting. The meeting held Saturday evening under the chairmanship of Home Minister and committee head Om Prakash Aryal concluded that the Gaur incident should not be taken lightly.
Senior officials from all four security agencies were present at the meeting. The meeting warned of the need to remain alert to the possibility of communal violence. Prime Minister Sushila Karki has already directed authorities to bring election opposing elements under control in connection with the Rautahat incident.
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The dispute began when a wedding procession playing music in Sabgadha village of Gaur 6 was obstructed by members of another community, who also assaulted some individuals. As tensions escalated, the situation turned into a two-sided clash. On Friday, in the presence of Chief District Officer Dinesh Sagar Bhusal, a six-point agreement was reached between both sides to defuse the dispute.
Although an agreement to maintain peace and harmony was reached at the District Administration Office in Gaur, communal tension intensified again after a group arriving Saturday morning in an Indian number plate Scorpio and more than a dozen motorcycles carried out arson.
As the dispute between the two sides began turning violent, the Rautahat administration issued a curfew order under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act 2028 to bring the situation under control.
According to the curfew order issued by CDO Bhusal, the curfew has been enforced from Mudbalwa Gate in the east to Lalbakaiya Dam in the west, from Bam Canal in the north to the Gaur Customs Office in the south, effective from 1 pm Saturday until further notice. All forms of gatherings, rallies, assemblies, demonstrations, and movement within the area have been prohibited.
Within about an hour of the Nepali Army taking command in the sensitive areas, the situation came fully under control. Even so, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army continue intensive monitoring and patrols in large numbers. The administration remains concerned that unrest could spread to villages in Rautahat and other parts of Madhes Province.
The Rautahat administration has taken into custody 20 individuals, including the alleged main planner of the communal flare up, Sheikh Jamsaid. He was detained Saturday afternoon on charges of attempting to create unrest during the election period, disturbing religious harmony, and trying to destabilize the entire district.
Police spokesperson DSP Bishnu Pradip Basyal told Nagarik that a joint team of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force detained Jamsaid following the CDO order and presented him at the District Administration Office in Gaur. Authorities said he will be released only after the situation fully calms down.
DSP Basyal said necessary questioning of Jamsaid is underway and police are conducting a detailed investigation based on available evidence to determine the extent of his involvement. Jamsaid, a former ward chair of Sabgadha village, is the district chair of the Janamat Party.
Following Thursday night’s incident, disturbances continued from Friday morning until afternoon, after which a six-point agreement was reached between the two communities under the administration’s supervision.
However, the situation suddenly escalated after audio clips allegedly aimed at provoking tensions between the two sides surfaced in a planned manner early Saturday morning.
Jamsaid’s role has been controversial in the past as well. A similar incident during Holi last year was also attributed to him. Agreements to maintain harmony had been reached then too, but the situation remained unchanged.
He had also faced strong criticism after posting photos on social media resembling South Hindi film scenes while displaying weapons. It is said that his close ties with senior district security officials in the past had boosted his confidence.
