Lawmakers seek answers over Sunsari violence
The Sunsari violence took centre stage in the House of Representatives on Thursday, with lawmakers from different political parties calling for accountability, an impartial investigation and urgent efforts to prevent communal tensions from escalating.
The discussion focused on the Sunday violence in Dewanganj, Sunsari, in which one person was killed, and several others were injured. While members across party lines described the incident as tragic, they differed over its causes and the government’s response. Opposition lawmakers accused the government and Prime Minister Balendra Shah of failing to take responsibility, while ruling party lawmakers called for restraint and warned against attempts to exploit religious divisions for political gain.
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Samina Miya alleged that political actors were trying to pit two religious communities that had long lived together peacefully against each other for political advantage. She did not name any individual or party.
“A conflict erupted between communities in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj. I want to urge all political parties and the people of this country to stop using communities of two religions that have long coexisted peacefully as a means to serve political interests,” Miya said.
“I strongly object to attempts to divide ordinary people who have lived together in harmony and use that conflict to advance political ambitions,” she added.
Miya said the Dewanganj incident had saddened the entire country and all communities.
“One of our brothers lost his life. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” she said, adding that the state must fulfil its responsibility toward the victims.
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) coordinator and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called on the government to take responsibility for addressing the tensions following the deadly Sunsari violence, saying such sensitive issues require direct leadership from the prime minister.
Dahal said the government must act seriously to resolve the situation in Sunsari and other parts of the country where tensions have emerged. He said political leaders should work together to protect Nepal’s tradition of social harmony and prevent attempts to exploit communal tensions.
