Rautahat District Administration Office on Saturday enforced a curfew order after a clash between two groups turned violent.

Chief District Officer Hiralal Regmi imposed the prohibitory order until further notice after a clash ensued between two groups at around 5pm in Ghiuratole of Ishnath Municipality-7 took a nasty turn.

Locals of the Ghiura settlement, who were heading towards a nearby lake to immerse an idol of goddess Saraswati as part of a religious ritual, on Friday were obstructed by another group of people for allegedly playing loud music.

The locals had then aborted the ritual, staying on the road with the idol.

Early on Saturday, the two sides had held talks under the coordination of the local unit and reached an agreement to let the ritual continue and maintain communal harmony.

However, the situation grew tense after some factions of the crowd pelted stones, protesting against the decision, said Superintendent of Police Mahendra Shrestha.

“For now, a curfew order has been put in place until further notice,” Shrestha added. “Efforts are being made to bring the situation under control.”

Some people have also been injured in the clash.

The two sides often clashed against one another on the same issue even in the past.