SUNSARI: The month of Shrawan is usually marked by lush greenery, devotion, and preparations for the Bolbam pilgrimage. But for residents of Kaptanganj in Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3, Sunday night turned into one of the darkest moments in the community’s recent history.

At around 7 p.m., 22-year-old Amlesh Mahato had just finished dinner with his family and was preparing to sleep when loud commotion erupted outside.

Curious about what was happening near the village’s Shiva temple, he stepped out of his house.

Just five minutes later, a bullet pierced his chest.

Now lying on Bed No. 2 of the General Surgery Ward at Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar, Amlesh is recovering from a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest—an injury that has shattered not only his dreams but also his family’s peace.

“I had just finished dinner and was about to sleep when the electricity went out. I heard people shouting outside and went to the temple to see what was happening,” he recalled. “By the time I reached there, the police had already started firing. I tried to run away, but suddenly I felt a bullet hit my chest and collapsed.”

Having recently completed Grade 12, Amlesh, the youngest son of Jankalal and Shantidevi Mahato, had been looking forward to joining fellow devotees in collecting holy water for Monday’s Bolbam pilgrimage. He never imagined his neighborhood would turn into a battlefield.

Pilgrimage replaced by hospital beds

A few beds away, on Bed No. 6, Hareram Yadav, also from Dewanganj-3, is fighting through pain after being shot in the right thigh.

Instead of making the traditional pilgrimage to the Saptakoshi River, he now finds himself confined to a hospital bed.

“We were preparing to leave around 10 p.m. to collect holy water when a dispute broke out over placing a flag at the temple,” he said. “When I reached the site, tires were already burning. The police first fired warning shots into the air and then opened fire.”

Among the injured is Mithilesh Mehta, a Grade 10 student.

His father, Dilip Mehta, waiting anxiously outside the hospital ward, questioned the police response.

“It started as a dispute over placing a flag. There was no reason to resort to gunfire immediately,” he said. “There was no baton charge or serious attempt to control the crowd before firing. My son was shot because of that. It was a grave failure.”

One life lost

The violence claimed the life of 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta, who became trapped amid the confrontation between protesters and security personnel.

He was rushed to hospital at around 11:25 p.m. on Sunday but was declared dead on arrival.

According to police, 22 people were injured in the incident, including nine civilians and 13 security personnel.

Inspector Rakesh Rai, chief of the Area Police Office in Dewanganj, sustained serious head injuries during the clashes.

Doctors at Neuro Hospital said Jay Prakash Mehta underwent surgery after a bullet struck his abdomen.

Other injured—including Mithilesh, Hareram, Amlesh, Rabindra, Amit and Sunil—remain hospitalized, with some in intensive care and others receiving treatment in the general ward.

A minor dispute spirals into deadly violence

Residents say the confrontation began over loud music played by a Bolbam procession and a disagreement related to placing a religious flag at the temple.

What began as a verbal argument quickly escalated into a violent clash involving sticks, stones and spears, creating panic throughout the village.

Police said they fired three rounds, while the Armed Police Force fired 22 warning shots into the air in an effort to bring the situation under control. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed the circumstances surrounding the live rounds that struck civilians.

Curfew and protests

Tension continued throughout Monday.

The Sunsari District Administration Office imposed an indefinite curfew in the affected area from Monday morning.

Despite the restrictions, residents took to the streets demanding accountability over the police action.

Demonstrations were also reported in Inaruwa and Laukahi, where protesters shut down markets and blocked the East-West Highway by burning tires.

Police said the situation has gradually begun returning to normal, although security remains on high alert as authorities continue efforts to prevent further unrest.