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🇳🇵 Nepal /Conflict & Security

Nepal Govt Criticized for Delayed Response to Sunsari Violence

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Critics are faulting the Nepali government's delayed and inadequate response to communal violence in Sunsari district, which has resulted in three deaths from police firing.
  • The violence, initially a local dispute, has spread to multiple districts, prompting curfews and heightened security, with concerns raised about the government's reliance on security measures over dialogue.
  • Questions linger over the Prime Minister and Home Minister's delayed engagement, lack of visits to the affected areas, and failure to utilize local representatives and civil society in de-escalating the crisis.

The Nepali government faces mounting criticism for its delayed and politically mismanaged response to communal violence that erupted in Sunsari district, leading to three deaths by police gunfire. Security experts, rights advocates, and opposition figures argue that crucial opportunities to contain the crisis were missed, allowing tensions to fester and spread across several Tarai districts.

What began as a dispute in Dewanganj Rural Municipality has escalated, necessitating curfews and significant security deployments in Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, and Parsa. Critics point to a perceived over-reliance on security measures rather than preventive interventions and dialogue. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Home Minister Sudan Gurung are accused of failing to provide timely political leadership, neglecting engagement with local representatives, federal lawmakers, and civil society groups.

Why did the prime minister and home minister not treat the Sunsari incident with the seriousness it demanded from the very beginning? How did a local dispute escalate to the point where police used live ammunition? And why was there no political outreach when it was obvious that tensions could spread elsewhere?

— Mohna AnsariFormer National Human Rights Commission member and advocate, questioning the government's response.

Further scrutiny surrounds the prime minister's delayed briefing from security chiefs and the National Security Council meeting, which occurred five days after the incident. Neither the prime minister nor the home minister visited the affected areas immediately, with the home minister traveling to Sunsari only on the fifth day. The home minister's aides attended a subsequent all-party meeting, rather than senior officials from Kathmandu, raising questions about the government's commitment to resolving the crisis. This handling is particularly concerning given reports that security agencies had warned of potential communal violence in the area three years prior, yet authorities allegedly failed to act on local intelligence.

Imposing curfews alone could not restore public confidence.

— Mohna AnsariFormer National Human Rights Commission member and advocate, criticizing the government's approach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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