An indefinite curfew has been imposed in parts of Birgunj Metropolitan City in Nepal's Parsa district after clashes broke out between two youth groups on Sunday evening. Authorities said the restrictions came into effect from Monday morning and will remain in place until further notice as security forces work to stabilise the situation, reported news agency ANI.
Curfew imposed after clashes
The Chief District Officer confirmed that the curfew was enforced under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, the news agency stated. The order restricts public movement and bans gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and meetings within designated areas of the city.
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The restricted zones include Bypass Road in the east, Sirsia River in the west, Gandak Chowk in the north and Shankaracharya Gate in the south.
The official notice quoted by ANI stated, "In view of the latest security situation, a curfew order has been issued from 9:45 am today, February 23, 2026, until further orders, in accordance with Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, prohibiting anyone from moving around, gathering, rallying, demonstrating, meeting, or sieging within the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district."
Essential services exempted
Authorities clarified that essential movement will continue during the curfew. Exemptions include ambulances, fire engines, hearses, vehicles carrying health workers and media personnel, as well as candidates appearing for pre-scheduled university examinations and staff working at exam centres.
Tourist vehicles, diplomatic and human rights mission vehicles and air passengers travelling with valid tickets are also permitted to move within the restricted zones.
Security personnel have been deployed across the affected areas to enforce restrictions and assist exempted services.
Security tightened ahead of national polls
The curfew comes as Nepal increases security preparations ahead of national elections scheduled for March 5. Additional security forces have been deployed across districts outside the Kathmandu Valley, particularly in the southern plains.
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More than three lakh security personnel, including police, Army and election security forces, have been mobilised to ensure peaceful polling across nearly 11,000 polling stations, stated ANI. At the Nepal Police Academy in Kathmandu, over 3,000 officers have already departed for their assigned districts as part of election security arrangements.
