A wave of violence in Devanganj Rural Municipality of Sunsari district has caused severe devastation, leaving three individuals dead and causing widespread destruction to public and private property. The fatal casualties occurred in the Naya Hatiya market area of Captanganj after gunfire broke out during the height of the unrest, resulting in the deaths of local residents Omprakash Mehta, Jayaprakash Mehta, and Rabindra Mehta.
According to reports from the Sunsari District Police Office, preliminary assessments confirm that 112 residential houses and other physical structures, alongside 61 vehicles, suffered severe damage. The arson and vandalism completely destroyed 23 permanent concrete houses and 25 temporary dwellings, while two temples, 50 additional homes, five other physical structures, and a brick kiln were also targeted. Furthermore, 44 two-wheelers and five four-wheelers were rendered completely unusable.
The unrest originally stemmed from an altercation on July 25 when a group allegedly attacked Hindu Kanwariya pilgrims participating in the Bol Bam pilgrimage. The disagreement escalated into full-scale inter-group clashes, spreading violent protests, arson, and destruction across multiple regions of Sunsari district, including Captanganj. Protesters targeted vehicles across various locations, setting fire to and destroying 52 motorcycles and scooters, eight city safaris, and four four-wheelers.
In the aftermath, police authorities confirmed that a total of 40 people sustained injuries during the clashes. While 25 of the injured have been discharged following medical attention, 12 victims remain hospitalized for ongoing treatment. District Police Chief SP Pushparaj Malla stated that law enforcement continues to collect damage reports and verify complaints, noting that the final estimate of losses may rise as official assessments proceed.
In response to the gravity of the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the mandate of its special investigation committee by 15 days. The panel, led by Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa, was initially formed on July 26 with a one-week deadline. The committee is tasked with conducting a thorough probe into the root causes of the violence, the sequence of events, firearms deployment, loss of life and property, and the conditions that triggered the turmoil, with formal state action expected upon submission of its final report.
