The District Administration Office in Sarlahi, a central Tarai district in Madhesh Province, has imposed a curfew in Malangwa, the district headquarters, in a bid to restore peace in the area following a clash between two groups of local people.

The district administration has said that the curfew will be effective from 5pm on Saturday till 8am on Sunday.

A violent clash had ensued between people from two communities while returning after immersing the idol on the occasion of Krishnajanmashtami on Friday. Police dispersed the crowd by firing 16 teargas canisters and a fire into the air. The situation calmed down on Friday evening.

The local administration called an all-party meeting and appealed to maintain ethnic and religious harmony after a group of people started protesting early Saturday morning by burning tires.

Superintendent of Police Naresh Raj Subedi said the local administration enforced the order to prevent any untoward incident after protests continued. The curfew has been imposed up to the Jhim river in the east, Musauli canal in the west, Nepal-India border in the south and Baba Petrol Pump in the north.

Chief District Officer Indra Dev Yadav said that security has been tightened in the area.

The marketplace in the district headquarters was shuttered while transportation came to a halt due to the demonstrations.