06 January,2026 07:43 PM IST | Nepal | mid-day online correspondent
What began as a local dispute escalated via social media, with both sides taking to the streets. Representational pic
The District Administration Office (DAO) of Parsa has extended the curfew in Birgunj City as religious tensions continue to rise over a TikTok video that sparked unrest, news agency ANI reported.
The local administration had initially issued a prohibitory order on Monday afternoon in parts of the district, but both groups staged simultaneous protests, defying the order, prompting authorities to impose a curfew.
"The curfew order issued yesterday, 2082.09.21 (2026.01.05) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM on 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), in view of the latest security situation, has been continued in the following four forts within the Birgunj Metropolitan City area of Parsa district, as per Section 6 (a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, from today, 2082.09.22 (2026.01.06), until 1:00 PM, prohibiting anyone from moving within those boundaries, holding any kind of gathering, procession, demonstration, meeting, or siege," the latest order said.
The DAO has identified Bus Park, Nagwa, Inarwa (East), Sirsia River (West), Gandak Chowk (North), and Shankaracharya Gate (South) as the four areas under curfew, ANI reported.
"During the curfew, security personnel are allowed to shoot on sight, so it is requested that you do not step out of your home except for essential purposes. If you must go out, coordinate with the nearest security personnel or call 100," the administration warned.
Authorities also clarified that essential service vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, hearses, health workers' vehicles, media personnel, tourist vehicles, vehicles of human rights and diplomatic missions, and air passengers with tickets will be allowed movement during the curfew.
Tensions have escalated in Birgunj, near the Indian state of Bihar, since Sunday after a dispute between two groups over a TikTok video from Dhanusha's Kamala Municipality. The video, uploaded by youths Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari in Janakpur, allegedly hurt religious sentiments, prompting locals to hand the youths over to the police, ANI reported.
The situation worsened after a mosque in ward 6 of Kamala Municipality was vandalised, triggering protests. Demonstrators staged rallies in and around Birgunj, burning tyres and shouting slogans since Sunday.
What began as a local dispute in Dhanusha and Parsa escalated via social media, with both sides taking to the streets over issues affecting religious and communal sentiments.
(With ANI inputs)
