Security Chiefs Advised Home Ministry To Find A Political, Social And Religious Solution To Sunsari Violence

Security Chiefs Urge Political Solution As Sunsari Unrest Raises Fears Of Wider Tensions

Nepal's top security officials have warned that the recent violence in Kaptaanganj, Dewanganj Rural Municipality–3 of Sunsari can no longer be treated as a routine law-and-order issue.

During a high-level briefing with Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, security chiefs concluded that the crisis now carries political, social and religious dimensions that require much broader intervention than simply increasing security deployment.

The warning comes amid concerns that unrest could spread beyond Sunsari into neighboring districts, including Morang, Saptari, Siraha and Dhanusha.

Security Chiefs: Force Alone Will Not End The Crisis

At the Ministry of Home Affairs, senior officials from Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, the National Investigation Department and the Nepali Army jointly assessed the situation before presenting their findings to the Home Minister.

According to officials present at the meeting, security chiefs stressed that simply sending more personnel or relying on force would not resolve the growing tensions.

Instead, they recommended:

• Political dialogue

• Social engagement

• Religious harmony initiatives

• Community-level peace efforts

• Strong coordination among political parties

Officials warned that treating the incident as only a policing issue could increase the risk of further violence.

Fear That Violence Could Spread

Security agencies expressed concern that isolated tensions reported in nearby districts could escalate if the underlying issues remain unaddressed.

Authorities believe early political engagement is necessary to prevent similar incidents from occurring elsewhere in the eastern Terai.

They also warned against narratives that could encourage vandalism or attacks on public property.

Political Leaders Called To Take Responsibility

Security officials told the Home Minister that political parties themselves must play a leading role in restoring peace.

Following the security briefing, political consultations began at both the federal and provincial levels.

Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Ravi Lamichhane called for an all-party meeting involving parliamentary parties and other major political leaders.

Meanwhile, Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Karki also convened a provincial all-party meeting to discuss the deteriorating situation.

Officials believe coordinated political messaging will be essential to restoring public confidence.

Questions Raised Over Police Response

The Home Minister also sought clarification about the police response during the violence.

According to officials, Gurung questioned why live ammunition had been used during crowd control operations and explored whether drones or helicopters could have been deployed to assess the situation more effectively.

Police maintain that officers initially fired warning shots into the air.

However, 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta was killed by gunfire, while nine other civilians were injured.

Former Armed Police Force Deputy Inspector General Narayan Babu Thapa later criticized the use of lethal firearms, arguing that accepted use-of-force procedures may not have been properly followed.

Investigation Committee Begins Inquiry

A five-member investigation committee led by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa from the Ministry of Home Affairs arrived in Sunsari on Wednesday.

The committee has been given one week to investigate:

• The cause of the violence

• The police response

• The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting

• Damage caused during the unrest

• Recommendations to prevent similar incidents

Its findings are expected to guide the government's next steps.

Security Tightened Across The Eastern Terai

Following the unrest, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force redeployed personnel from hill districts to sensitive areas across the Terai.

Security has been strengthened in:

• Sunsari

• Morang

• Siraha

• Saptari

Joint operations involving the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department are also continuing.

District commanders have been instructed to prioritise community harmony while using force only when absolutely necessary.

Situation Reportedly Improving

Authorities reported that no major incidents had occurred by Wednesday afternoon despite renewed clashes and vandalism on Tuesday evening.

Security agencies say surveillance has been increased while intelligence teams continue monitoring sensitive areas.

Although the immediate situation appears calmer, officials caution that lasting peace will depend on resolving the political and social issues identified during the security briefing.