The District Administration Office in Rukum (West) imposed an indefinite curfew at Radi Bazaar of Aathbiskot Municipality starting on January 19 following clashes between cadres of Nepal Communist Party and Nepali Congress.

According to Chief District Officer Badri Nath Gairhe, the curfew has been clamped until further notice from Dhari Khola in the east, Thuli Bheri in the west, Sim Bazaar in the south and Danje in the north. 

“Gatherings of more than four people have been prohibited in the area. Restrictions will also apply to all public and private vehicles, except for ambulances and vehicles carrying food materials, health workers and security personnel.” 

The restrictions were placed as some groups were trying to disturb peace and order at Radi Bazaar area in Aathbiskot Municipality ward No. 9, according to the District Administration Office. 

Earlier in the day, police fired several rounds of warning shots following the clashes between cadres of the two parties. 

“Security has been beefed up in the area to avert untoward incidents,” DSP Dhurba Kumar Shrestha, chief of District Police Office, said. 

According to Shrestha, supporters of the two parties had had a confrontation at Radi Bazzar area on Monday night as well. On Tuesday morning, the supporters of the two parties gathered outside the Area Police Office. “That’s when the situation turned tense and clashes broke out,” Shrestha said. 

The situation got out of hands and spilled onto the streets. Situation at Radi Bazaar was tense throughout the day. Tarak Bahadur Shahi, ward 9 chairman of Aathbiskot Municipality, said a Nepali Congress cadre and three security personnel sustained injuries during Tuesday’s clash. There were no reports about arrests. 

According to Rabi KC, the municipal secretary of Nepal Communist Party, said late Tuesday afternoon that the situation at Radi Bazaar remained tense. The situation is said to have transpired as a result of personal rivalry between the cadres of the two parties.