KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah is facing mounting criticism over what observers describe as a slow and inadequate response to the deadly communal unrest in Sunsari’s Captainganj, with political analysts accusing the government of failing to provide timely political leadership during a sensitive security crisis.

Although clashes between two religious communities erupted on Sunday night, leaving one person dead and 24 others injured, the Prime Minister issued only a brief Facebook appeal on Tuesday night—more than 48 hours after the violence began. Critics say the government failed to convene an all-party meeting, engage political and religious leaders, or launch a coordinated public effort to restore communal harmony as tensions spread beyond Sunsari into parts of Madhesh Province.

The government’s handling of the crisis has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and political commentators, who argue that both Prime Minister Shah and Home Minister Sudhan Gurung remained largely absent during a period requiring decisive leadership. Analysts described the administration as inexperienced and politically unprepared, saying it relied on administrative measures while neglecting dialogue, coordination and confidence-building efforts traditionally undertaken during communal crises.

As the government remained largely silent, Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday and appealed for peace, though neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister attended. Opposition leaders questioned the government’s inaction, while security experts urged the immediate formation of a high-level independent investigation into the shooting that occurred during the clashes and the broader causes of the violence.

Three days after the unrest began, Prime Minister Shah finally received separate security briefings from the chiefs of the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, directing them to restore order, safeguard lives and property, and intensify surveillance against groups attempting to incite communal violence. During the briefing, he also sought clarification on the circumstances surrounding the police firing during the incident.