SUNSARI: Authorities have expanded an indefinite curfew across large parts of Sunsari following fresh violence and arson after Sunday’s deadly clash in Dewanganj, where one person was killed during a police response to a dispute over DJ music.

Fresh clashes broke out in Dewanganj Rural Municipality on Tuesday night, with unidentified groups setting fire to several houses and shops despite the curfew. Police said security forces, backed by the Nepal Army, brought the situation under control.

The District Administration Office has extended the curfew to cover 10 local units, including the entire areas of Inaruwa, Duhabi, Bhokraha Narsingh, Koshi, Gadhi, Dewanganj, Harinagar and Barju, as well as sections of Itahari and Ramdhuni along the Mahendra Highway. All movement, public gatherings, rallies, demonstrations and meetings have been prohibited until further notice.

The violence began Sunday night in Kaptainganj, Dewanganj-3, leaving 24 people, including civilians, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel, injured. Authorities had briefly relaxed restrictions on Tuesday morning before renewed unrest prompted a wider curfew.

Additional incidents of vandalism and arson were reported in the Koshi area of Sunsari, while protests and partial market closures took place in Biratnagar. The Nepal Army has been deployed alongside additional security personnel, with helicopter patrols also monitoring the situation.

In neighboring Morang, the district administration has temporarily banned the use of DJ sound systems at public events without prior approval to prevent further unrest.

Meanwhile, residents in Duhabi organized a peace rally attended by religious leaders, community representatives, political figures and security officials, calling for communal harmony and demanding an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible for the Dewanganj violence.