BIRATNAGAR: The Nepali Army has been deployed in Kaptanganj, Ward No. 3 of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Sunsari, to restore order after demonstrators defied a local administration curfew, resorting to renewed vandalism and arson.

The District Administration Office imposed a curfew in five areas early Monday following violent inter-community clashes on Sunday night that left 24-year-old Om Prakash Mehta dead from police gunfire and over 22 people—including security personnel and civilians—injured.

When protesters defied orders and continued rioting on Monday morning, armed army units were brought in to reinforce Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel.

Officials report that the situation in Kaptanganj is gradually normalizing following the army’s mobilization.