Hindu-Muslim clash in Malangwa, Sarlahi - Curfew imposed

3 years ago

Hindu-Muslim clash in Malangwa, Sarlahi - Curfew imposed

A curfew order has been issued after clashes broke out between the Muslim and Hindu communities in Malangwa, the district headquarters of Sarlahi, over the removal of idols of gods in Bishwakarma.

The District Administration Office, Sarlahi, has issued a curfew order from 1.30 pm yesterday to 8 am today after the tension while taking the idol to the river could not be resolved.

Sarlahi Police Chief SP Santosh Singh Rathore has informed that the police had to fire seven rounds of tear gas to control the situation after the clash broke out between the two sides today. A significant number of security personnel have been deployed in Ward Nos. 3 and 2 of Malangwa.

The curfew was imposed after people from both the communities started throwing stones at each other, said Surendra Poudel, Chief District Officer of Sarlahi.

The clash took place at Bishwakarma Chowk in Ward No. 3 of Malangwa on Friday evening when the idol was  being taken to the river through Muslim settlement.

After the clash, there was a scuffle between the two sides. More than a dozen people from both sides were injured in the incident, said Birendra Sah, president of Udyog Vanijya Sangha Malangwa. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.

The administration has issued a curfew order after the situation became tense again on Saturday morning. The vandalized idol is kept at the District Police Office, Sarlahi.