Dharan Remains Deserted Due to Prohibition Order

Due to the prohibition order imposed by the local administration, Dharan remained deserted all day on Saturday. The administration had imposed a prohibition order in the Dharan sub-metropolitan area with effect from midnight on Friday.

Along with the ban, the checkpoints were also tightened. Hindu activists could not reach Dharan after being stopped at the entry point of Dharan. These activists had prepared for a demonstration in Dharan on Saturday after a topic that could provoke religious harmony was publicized on social media.

To prevent a possible accident, the administration blocked the entry checkpoint with a prohibition order after supporters of the cause prepared to disembark in protest of the demonstration. The Hindu activists' demonstration was stopped at Itahari due to the blockade at the border. They demonstrated from Tarahara in Itahari to Panipiya. A large number of police were deployed to stop the protestors in Panipiya.

The police also stopped activists who were walking towards Dharan from Jhapa and Morang. Due to the high vigilance of the police, there was no riotous activity in the restricted area, and Dharan remained peaceful. About 2000 Hindu activists demonstrated from Tarahara to the Panipiya area of Itahari.

Dharan's civil society, along with 13 political parties, people's representatives, and former people's representatives, appealed to prevent a possible accident on Saturday. The leaders of civil society also asked activists on both sides to halt the demonstration.

Dharan is quiet; there was more noise outside. It appeared unstable because of social media.

The locals of Dharan are also in favor of maintaining social harmony. Everyone in Dharan lives together peacefully; such conflicts do not benefit anyone.