KATHMANDU, Aug. 3: As tensions between communities that began in Dewanganj, Sunsari, spread to several districts across Madhesh Province, maintaining peace, security and social harmony became one of the government's biggest challenges.
Amid the escalating unrest, Minister for Home Sudan Gurung left Kathmandu on July 30 after consulting Prime Minister Balendra Shah and spent four days in Sunsari and other Madhesh districts. Before returning to the capital, he met the families of the victims, mobilized security agencies, held talks with protesting groups and strengthened coordination with the provincial government.
His four-day visit went beyond a routine inspection. From visiting the incident site and hospitals to meeting victims' families, protesters and local administrative officials, Gurung remained actively engaged in efforts to restore peace and resolve the conflict.
First day: Meeting victims' families in Kaptanganj
Home Minister Gurung, accompanied by Minister for Health and Food Safety Nisha Mehta, visited Kaptanganj in Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Sunsari. He expressed condolences to the families of Om Prakash Mehta, who was killed in police firing during clashes between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities, and Jay Prakash Mehta, who later died while undergoing treatment.
The Home Ministry reached a six-point agreement with the victims' families. The agreement included commitments to conduct an impartial investigation into the incident, take legal action against those found guilty, and provide relief and compensation to the victims' families.
Let’s live in peace and embrace diversity
Later, Gurung visited Prime Hospital in Biratnagar to inquire about the condition of the injured and instructed the concerned authorities to ensure they received proper treatment.
Second day: Late-night negotiations in Siraha
Minister Gurung reached Aurahi late at night to meet the family of Ganesh Yadav, who was shot dead by police during a protest in Golbazar, Siraha, following the Sunsari incident.
The government reached an agreement with the victim's father, Ram Briksha Yadav. It included commitments to conduct an impartial investigation, provide compensation, ensure free education for eligible family members and extend other necessary support.
In Siraha, Gurung also chaired an emergency meeting with officials from the District Administration Office, Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department to review the security situation. He instructed security agencies to prepare appropriate strategies to prevent any further escalation.
Third day: Talks with religious communities in Janakpurdham
With religious tensions rising across Madhesh Province, Minister Gurung visited Janakpurdham in Dhanusha. He held separate meetings with representatives of Hindu, Muslim and other religious communities, urging them to exercise restraint and help maintain communal harmony.
During a meeting with local administrators, he instructed officials to relax the curfew for limited hours to ease daily life, ensure the uninterrupted supply of food and medicines, and pay special attention to curbing rumors and misinformation.
Fourth day: Protest withdrawn after talks
On the final day of his visit, Home Minister Gurung held a series of discussions with the Hindu Samrat Sena (HSS) in Dhanusha. Although no written agreement was signed, the HSS announced that it had withdrawn its protest after reaching a verbal understanding with the government.
The Home Minister assured the group that the commitments made during the talks would be implemented after his return to Kathmandu.
He also met the province's chief minister to discuss the overall security situation. They agreed to strengthen coordination between the federal and provincial governments and enhance security surveillance in districts including Rupandehi, Banke, Saptari, Rautahat and Parsa.
Return to Kathmandu
During the visit, Minister Gurung vowed not to return to Kathmandu until the situation had stabilized. After tensions gradually eased in Sunsari, Siraha and Dhanusha through dialogue and agreements, he returned to Kathmandu on August 2 aboard a Buddha Air flight.
He is now preparing to brief Prime Minister Shah on his four-day visit, the agreements reached, his assessment of the security situation and the government's future course of action.
Minister Gurung’'s four-day mission has been viewed as an example of the government's effort to address security challenges through dialogue, negotiation and cooperation rather than relying solely on force. However, the real test lies in the effective implementation of the agreements and impartial legal action against those responsible, which will be crucial to ensuring lasting peace and rebuilding public trust in Madhesh.
