Nepal, India close border amid unrest over mosque demolition

A video circulating on social media insulting religion has sparked communal tension in southern districts of Nepal, NDTV reported. As the situation worsened, the local administration has imposed an indefinite curfew in Nepal’s Birgunj town. To prevent the impact of the unrest in Nepal from spreading to India, the Indian Armed Border Force (SSB) has completely sealed the India-Nepal border near Raxaul in Bihar.
The incident originated from Kamala Municipality in Dhanusha district of Nepal. Two youths, Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari, allegedly posted a video on social media, in which they claimed that derogatory remarks were made against other religions. Tensions flared in Dhanusha and Parsa districts soon after the video went viral. Locals caught the two youths and handed them over to the police, but the situation did not calm down. Rather, in response, tensions reached a peak when a mosque in Saku Maran area was attacked and vandalized. Hindu organisations have counter-alleged that objectionable comments were made about their gods and goddesses during the protests.
Protesters in Birganj area pelted stones at police and vandalised a police station. Police were forced to fire several rounds of tear gas to bring the situation under control. Currently, the Parsa district administration has imposed curfew in Birganj town amid tight security. Due to the unstable situation in Nepal, Indian workers working in the country have started returning to their country in droves. The returning workers said that it has become unsafe to stay there as all the markets and shops in Birganj are closed.
In view of the situation, India’s Armed Border Force (SSB) has put the border on high alert. All movement of the general public has been stopped except for emergency services. Special surveillance has been put on the Maitree Bridge connecting the two countries, along with dog squads. Patrolling has been increased several times in sensitive border areas like Sahadev, Mahadev and Pantoka to ensure that the unrest in Nepal does not spread across the border.