21 injured as police, protestors clash in Kapilvastu

BUTWAL: Police opened fire after protests broke out in Maharajganj Municipality of Kapilvastu in defiance of a prohibitory order on Saturday.

A total of 21 people, including civilians and police personnel, were injured in the incident.

Clashes erupted between protesters and police at Jigna Chowk in Maharajganj Municipality-6, west of Bargadagaun, where tensions had earlier flared between two communities.

According to Acting Chief District Officer Bhavishwar Ghimire, three have been sent to Bhairahawa for treatment, while others—both civilians and police—are receiving treatment within the district.

He said police were forced to open fire to bring the situation under control as demonstrations continued despite the prohibitory order. Two police personnel were injured after being hit by stones thrown by protesters. Authorities said details of the injured are still being collected.

The unrest began on Saturday after a dispute broke out between the two communities, which escalated into stone-pelting.

To control the situation, the local administration issued a prohibitory order in the Maharajgunj area from 2 pm until further notice. The restricted area encompasses Bargadi Bridge to the east, Bahadurganj Chowk to the west, Maharajganj Bazaar to the north, and Hardauna to the south, all within the Maharajganj Municipality.