The District Administration Office in Kapilvastu imposed  a curfew in Krishnanagar on Sunday after tension flared at a market place near the Nepal-India border over the immersion of Durga idols.

Chief District Officer Arjun Prasad Pokharel said the local administration imposed the curfew in Krishnanagar for an indefinite period since 5pm on Sunday to maintain law and order in the area. The security personnel informed the locals about the curfew order and asked them to remain in their homes during the curfew.

Krishnanagar has remained tense since Friday evening after some unidentified persons hurled stones at the procession while moving around the Durga idols in the town. The assailants threw stones from terraces of the houses near a mosque. The local administration and the disputing groups of the locals reached an agreement on Saturday evening to arrest the assailants involved in hurling stones.

However, the tension flared again on Sunday as the Hindu and Muslim communities were at odds over the route to move around the idols for immersion. Police fired six rounds of warning shots and lobbed three teargas canisters to contain the situation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabi Rawal said the security personnel were compelled to use force after the dispute between two sides turned violent.

Security has been stepped up in Krishnanagar after the incident, with more than 500 police personnel being deployed in the area. Considering the security threat, restrictions have been imposed on the border crossings.

Meanwhile, the Durga idols were immersed in the Surai stream amid tight security at around 7pm.