The situation along the Taulihawa–Bahadurganj road section of the Hulaki Highway in Kapilvastu has begun returning to normal after tensions escalated following a dispute between two communities on Saturday in Bargada village of Maharajganj Municipality.

Although private vehicles are yet to resume regular movement along the route, pedestrians are travelling without major obstruction, authorities said.

Following the incident, Acting Chief District Officer Bhawishwar Ghimire issued a prohibitory order from 2pm on Saturday until further notice.

The order restricts gatherings, rallies, protests and assemblies within areas stretching from Bargadi Bridge in the east to Bahadurganj Chowk in the west, Maharajganj Bazar in the north and Hardouna in the south.

Despite the restrictions, a clash broke out between protesters and police at Jigna Chowk in ward 6 of Maharajganj Municipality after demonstrations intensified. Police opened fire after the situation went out of control.

Superintendent of Police Santosh Acharya said 23 people, including security personnel, were injured in the incident. 

Chief District Officer Janardan Gautam said the prohibitory order remains in force as a precautionary measure. He said a multi-stakeholder meeting is underway at the District Administration Office in Taulihawa to restore normalcy and urged all sides to maintain restraint.