Past incidents show political, social engagements quell communal strife in Nepal’s plains

Communal tensions in Nepal's plains have eased after an agreement was reached involving the home minister, underscoring the critical role of dialogue and consensus over temporary security interventions. The recent week-long unrest in Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Sunsari, stemmed from a violent confrontation that escalated due to a lack of initial coordination, resulting in three deaths and widespread tension.

While authorities lifted the curfew and retained prohibitory orders, the resolution has drawn comparisons to past crises across the Tarai-Madhesh region. In previous instances, early coordination among local representatives, administrators, political parties, and community leaders successfully prevented isolated disputes from spiraling into prolonged unrest. Local stakeholders in Dewanganj concluded that the failure to establish effective coordination at the outset allowed a minor dispute to escalate significantly.

Religious flags, idol immersion processions, marches, and social media rumors have historically sparked tensions between communities in various Tarai districts. However, earlier incidents in Harinagar, Bhutaha, Duhabi, Devpura Rupaitha, Malangawa, and Parariya were resolved through negotiations involving political leaders, religious representatives, civil society, and security agencies, rather than solely through policing. Gaffar Ansari Miya, chairman of Harinagar Rural Municipality, lamented that the delay in initiating dialogue prolonged the unrest, caused families to refuse to receive bodies, and spread tensions to other districts. He emphasized that the cost was measured not only in lives lost but also in growing mistrust and the widening of unrest.

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Ultimately, we have returned to dialogue, consensus and an all-party approach. Had that process begun immediately, we would not have endured seven days of unrest, families refusing to receive bodies, and tensions spreading to other districts.