ITAHARI, July 30: A social harmony rally was held in Itahari on Wednesday to ease tensions following the violent clash between two groups in Kaptanganj, Dewanganj, of Sunsari.
Participants chanted slogans such as, ‘Let Buddha be born again in Nepal,’ ‘We want peace, not violence,’ and ‘Let us uphold ethnic and social unity.’ Civil Society Itahari organized the rally to promote communal harmony.
Former Civil Society Itahari Chair Badri Bishal Pokharel said harmony rallies have been organised whenever ethnic or religious harmony in Itahari has come under strain. A similar rally was held two years ago after religious tensions escalated in Dharan. Another was organized in 2015 during India's unofficial blockade against Nepal.
Addressing a gathering after the rally, former minister Ram Kumar Subba urged everyone to respect Nepal's cultural diversity and work together to strengthen social harmony, solidarity, and national unity. Civil Society Chair RK Rai appealed to all communities to preserve mutual trust, tolerance, and unity.
An all-party and all stakeholder meeting held on Wednesday in Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality also called on the public to reinforce social unity, mutual trust, and cooperation. Harinagar Rural Municipality Chair Gaffar Ansari urged people to maintain communal harmony and demanded an impartial investigation into the Dewanganj incident, along with legal action against those responsible.
Buddha Harmony Foundation Awards differently-abled Hidden Talen...
Members of the government-formed probe committee have arrived in the area to investigate the violence. Victims' families, local representatives, and community leaders have urged the committee to declare the deceased a martyr and punish those responsible. They argued that the violence could have been prevented if government agencies had coordinated and communicated effectively from the outset.
The committee, led by Home Ministry Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa, met the victim's family, injured individuals, local representatives, and community leaders on Wednesday to collect information.
Krishnu Mehta, father of the deceased Om Prakash Mehta, said his family had lost its main support and appealed to the government to act seriously.
"My wife also suffers from a respiratory illness. My eldest son was shot dead, and now I have no one left to rely on," he told the committee.
He said he would only find peace if the government declared his son a martyr and ensured those responsible were punished.
Om Prakash Mehta, 30, of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Ward 4, died after being shot by police following clashes between two groups on Sunday night. At least 21 people were injured in the violence, including two who remain in critical condition.
Rural Municipality Chair Bechan Mehta said the incident should not be politicized.
"Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully here for years. A few individuals triggered this unfortunate incident. Those responsible must be investigated and held accountable," he said.
Pawan Yadav, brother of injured Hare Ram Yadav, said the strictest possible punishment for those responsible would help restore public trust.
Committee coordinator Thapa said information was being gathered from multiple sources, including victims and witnesses, making it too early to determine responsibility.
Santosh Pokharel, administrative officer at the Sunsari District Administration Office, said no untoward incidents had been reported throughout Wednesday and that all sides were working to maintain harmony. An all-party meeting was also held at the District Administration Office with participation from local representatives, federal lawmakers, and political leaders.
The violence erupted after a dispute between two groups of youths over loud DJ music being played at a temple in Kaptanganj, Dewanganj escalated into a clash.
