The District Administration Office (DAO) of Parsa has extended the curfew in Birgunj city following ongoing religious tensions sparked by a TikTok video. The local administration issued a prohibitory order in certain parts of the district, but both sides defied it by holding simultaneous protests, prompting authorities to enforce a curfew. Initially, the curfew was set from 6 PM on Monday to 8 AM on Tuesday. However, with the situation remaining volatile and the threat ongoing, the curfew has now been extended until 1 PM on Tuesday.

According to the latest order, issued under Section 6(a) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, the curfew applies to four key areas of Birgunj Metropolitan City: Bus Park, Nagwa, Inarwa in the east; Sirsia River in the west; Gandak Chowk in the north; and Shankaracharya Gate in the south. During this period, residents are prohibited from leaving their homes or organizing any gatherings, processions, demonstrations, or meetings.

Authorities warned that security personnel have the authority to shoot on sight if the curfew is violated. People are urged to remain indoors except for essential purposes, and if movement is necessary, they should coordinate with nearby security personnel or call 100. Essential service vehicles—including ambulances, fire engines, hearses, health workers’ vehicles, media, tourist vehicles, vehicles of human rights and diplomatic missions, and air travelers—will be allowed to operate with prior coordination.

The unrest in Birgunj, near the Indian border state of Bihar, began on Sunday following a dispute between two groups triggered by religiously sensitive comments on TikTok. The controversy started when two youths, Haider Ansari and Amanat Ansari, posted a video in Janakpur, Dhanusha, which locals claimed hurt religious sentiments, leading to their detention by police.

Tensions escalated after a mosque was vandalized in ward 6 of Kamala Municipality, prompting demonstrations in and around Birgunj, including tyre-burning and slogan-chanting rallies. The situation, initially confined to Dhanusha and Parsa, quickly spread on social media, with both communities taking to the streets over issues tied to religious and communal sentiments.