SUNSARI: The Nepal Army has been deployed in Kaptanganj, Ward No. 3 of Devanganj Rural Municipality in Sunsari after incidents of arson and vandalism broke out despite an indefinite curfew.

The deployment came as protests over the Devanganj incident spread to several parts of Sunsari district. Sunsari Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire confirmed that the army had been mobilized in areas placed under curfew.

The situation became increasingly tense after crowds defied the curfew from Monday morning, took to the streets, and set tires on fire in protest. Although large contingents of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF) had already been deployed, authorities said the rapidly growing crowds became difficult to control, prompting the deployment of the Nepal Army. Armed army personnel, supported by armored vehicles, have reached Kaptanganj.

The unrest follows violent tensions between two communities that erupted on Sunday night, during which police opened fire to disperse the crowd. One person was killed in the incident, while 21 others—including police personnel and protesters—were injured.

Following the clash, demonstrations have spread to several areas of Sunsari, including Laukahi and the district headquarters Inaruwa. In Kaptanganj, Devanganj, and Harinagar, groups of local residents have continued to gather and protest in defiance of the curfew.

With security concerns escalating, additional Nepal Police, Armed Police Force personnel, and specialized riot-control units have been deployed to Sunsari from other districts across Koshi Province. According to Koshi Province Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Yogendra Singh Thapa, reinforcements have been mobilized from across the province to prevent the situation in Kaptanganj from deteriorating further.