Army Deployed as Curfew Protest Grows in Sunsari

A sharp deterioration in the security situation at Kaptanganj in Dewanganj Rural Municipality–3, Sunsari, has prompted the government to deploy the Nepal Army after protests continued despite a curfew order. The unrest followed the death of a local youth in police firing, an incident that has triggered public anger and renewed scrutiny over the use of force by security agencies.

The protest began as a response to the fatal shooting but quickly expanded into a broader law-and-order challenge. As crowds ignored the curfew and gathered in large numbers, authorities intensified security measures while launching an official investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Violence Spreads Across the Market Area

Police estimated that between 400 and 500 people gathered in the Kaptanganj market area. Protesters burned tyres, vandalized businesses, and set fire to several properties.

According to police, the damage included:

• One pharmacy
• One motorcycle repair garage
• Three grocery shops
• Goods taken out from some shops before being set on fire

As tensions mounted, residents fled the market area in fear. Security officials also became concerned that rival groups were beginning to assemble, raising the possibility of wider clashes. Reinforcements, including riot-control teams from several districts across Koshi Province, were deployed to prevent further escalation.

Highways and Nearby Areas Also Affected

The unrest did not remain confined to Kaptanganj. Demonstrations spread to areas including Laukahi and Phulchowk in Sunsari, where protesters blocked roads by burning tyres.

Traffic along the East–West Highway was disrupted, and attempts were made at some locations to obstruct roads by felling trees, affecting movement through parts of the district.

The widening disruption highlighted how quickly localized violence can spill into broader public life when transport corridors and commercial centers become part of the protest.

Government Orders Investigation

The Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a five-member investigation committee led by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa to determine the facts surrounding the incident. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within one week.

The government has also convened a meeting of the Central Security Committee to review the situation in Sunsari. Home Minister, the Inspector General of Nepal Police, the Inspector General of the Armed Police Force, and other senior security officials discussed the security response, operational strategy, and further measures to restore order.

Questions Over Police Firing

Several people injured during the confrontation remain in serious condition, according to hospital sources.

Public attention has increasingly focused on how force was used during the operation. Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Lal Bikram Thapa claimed that most of those injured sustained gunshot wounds above the waist and called for an impartial investigation into the incident. Security agencies have not yet released any official conclusion regarding those claims.

For now, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force are jointly maintaining security across the affected areas. Authorities have urged residents not to believe rumors, to comply with the curfew and security directives, and to help maintain peace while the investigation proceeds. The findings of the government-appointed committee are expected to provide a clearer account of the incident and determine responsibility where appropriate.