MALANGAWA, Sept 19: District Administration Office, Sarlahi has enforced curfew orders in Malangawa -- the district headquarters -- in an attempt to avoid a possible clash between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

According to Chief District Officer (CDO) Surendra Poudel, the prohibitory orders have been imposed effective from 2 pm on Saturday and will remain in force until 8 am on Sunday. “The decision has been made to avoid possible confrontation between two sides,” he said, adding that no one is allowed to come out of their houses during the curfew hours.

A dispute between the two communities erupted during a ritual procession of immersing the idol of Bishwakarma at Malanga Municipality-3 on Friday. The minor dispute was followed by a clash in which more than a dozen people sustained injuries on both sides.

Police said people from the Muslim community had reportedly interfered the idol immersing program which consequently resulted in a clash between the two sides. Police immediately took control of the site following the incident.

Representatives from two sides have been holding talks at the Sarlahi District Police Office since the morning. A police official shared that Hindus want to take the idol to the pond walking along the way that was used on Friday, while local Muslims are against allowing them to organize the religious procession along that way.