SUNSARI: The Sunsari District Administration Office has lifted the indefinite curfew imposed following communal violence in Dewanganj Rural Municipality, saying the local security situation has improved.

According to a notice issued by Chief District Officer Ishwori Prasad Aryal, the curfew was fully lifted effective from 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday.

The curfew had been enforced from 9:00 p.m. on Sunday under Section 6(A) of the Local Administration Act, 1971, prohibiting movement, public gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, meetings and sit-ins within the designated area.

Issued following a decision of the Central Security Committee, the order covered the stretch of the Mahendra Highway from Ghopali Tol on the eastern boundary of Inaruwa Municipality wards 3 and 6 to the Koshi Barrage bridge in the west, including a 200-meter area on both sides of the highway.

The curfew was imposed after security forces intervened to contain a clash between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities in Kaptanganj, Ward No. 3 of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, on Sunday night. During the operation, Om Prakash Mehta, 30, was fatally shot, prompting authorities to impose the restrictions to prevent further escalation.

The district administration said the curfew has now been withdrawn following a review of the overall security situation.