BIRATNAGAR, April 5: The District Administration Office (DAO) in Sunsari has extended prohibitory orders to three more municipalities.

Acting Chief District Officer Bed Raj Phuyal issued the orders for Inaruwa Municipality, Bhokraha Narasingh Rural Municipality and Koshi Rural Municipality in view of the potential untoward incident.

Previously, similar orders had been enforced in Harinagara Rural Municipality and Devangunj Rural Municipality.

The escalation of violent clashes between two groups in Bhutaha Municipality of Sunsari has raised concerns that similar incidents may spread to other areas. 

The prohibitory orders will remain effective until further notice.

At least four people sustained injuries during the clashes in Bhutaha on Friday.

Police reportedly resorted to using tear gas shells and aerial firing more than a dozen times to contain the situation.

Three of the injured are currently receiving treatment in Biratnagar, while one other remains hospitalized in Inaruwa.

A dispute between the two groups that escalated after an assault on a young man in Bhutaha on Thursday left the situation tense across these municipalities.

The orders issued by the DAO prohibit all forms of social, religious, and political gatherings, rallies, assemblies, or any other events in the designated areas.