Life is returning to normal across several districts of Koshi and Madhes provinces after days of unrest following deadly security force firing in Sunsari’s Dewanganj, where three people were killed and protests spread to neighbouring districts.

The easing of tensions followed agreements with the families of those killed, the completion of funerals and a series of dialogue efforts involving the government, local administrations, political parties and community leaders.

Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha and Parsa had witnessed heightened tensions after violence broke out in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 on July 26. Security forces opened fire while trying to control a clash between two groups, killing two young men and injuring several others. A third injured person later died on Tuesday during treatment.

No curfews or prohibitory orders are currently in place in any of the affected districts. Markets, public transport and other daily activities have resumed, although security personnel remain deployed in sensitive areas.

In Dewanganj, the centre of the unrest, authorities lifted the prohibitory order from 7 pm on Monday. Pushpa Raj Malla, chief of Sunsari Police, said the security situation in the district was now calm.

“Since the prohibitory order was lifted at 7 pm on Monday, the overall situation in Sunsari has remained peaceful,” Malla said. “Normal activities are gradually resuming, but security monitoring continues to prevent any possible escalation.”

The government stepped up efforts to contain the unrest after the violence spread beyond Sunsari. Home Minister Sudan Gurung visited Dewanganj on July 30, and protests began to subside after an agreement was reached between the government and the families of those killed the following day.

Gurung then travelled to Siraha on Saturday, where he held talks with protesting groups and reached another agreement. Officials said discussions among local authorities, political parties, civil society groups and community leaders from both communities also helped reduce tensions.

The situation in Siraha has also stabilised. Authorities have lifted the curfew and prohibitory orders, although security monitoring continues in sensitive areas, including Golbazar and Lahan.

Chief District Officer Surendra Poudel said the district was peaceful and residents were gradually returning to their normal routines. The administration is now focused on documenting damage caused by vandalism and arson and assessing losses to homes, buildings and other structures.

Meanwhile, one more person injured in the Dewanganj violence died in Kathmandu on Tuesday while undergoing treatment. Rabindra Kumar Mehta, 21, of Dewanganj-3, died at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.

Earlier, Om Prakash Mehta of Dewanganj-4 and Jay Prakash Mehta of Dewanganj-3 died while receiving treatment after security forces opened fire during clashes in Kaptanganj. Ten people were injured in the incident.

The unrest later spread to other parts of Madhesh. In Siraha’s Golbazar, 15-year-old Ganesh Yadav of Tulsi­pur in Aurahi Rural Municipality-2 was killed after security personnel opened fire during protests. In Dhanusha, 19-year-old Subash Thakur of Dharapani Kumhara in Dhanushadham Municipality-8 was injured by a gunshot.

Authorities have urged people to remain cautious about misinformation circulating on social media, avoid taking the law into their own hands and work towards maintaining social harmony.