The District Administration Office in Parsa district has imposed a curfew in central Birgunj starting 7pm on Saturday following a clash during a Hanuman Jayanti procession. The incident occurred after unidentified individuals reportedly pelted stones at the religious parade near Shreeram Hall Chowk in Chapkaiya-3.

“Considering the disturbance, the District Administration Office has issued a curfew order from 7pm today until noon tomorrow in the main market area of Birgunj,” said Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra.

According to eyewitnesses, the procession—which had started from Ghantaghar and was heading south—was ongoing as in previous years when the attack took place, triggering panic and tension.

“The Hanuman Jayanti procession has always been peaceful, but today’s unexpected stone-pelting has created a tense environment in the area,” said Shankar Sah Sonar, a local journalist.

To bring the situation under control, police fired nearly two dozen rounds of tear gas. Additional security forces have been deployed throughout the area to prevent further unrest.

The local administration has urged residents to remain indoors and comply with the curfew order.