BIRATNAGAR: It has been found that nine civilians injured in a violent clash between two communities in Kaptanganj, Ward No. 3 of Dewanganj Rural Municipality, Sunsari on Sunday night sustained bullet wounds.

Om Prakash Mehta, 24, of Dewanganj-3, died after being struck by bullets fired by security forces, while eight other injured individuals are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Biratnagar.

Mehta, who was critically injured by police gunfire while attempting to control the clash, was rushed to Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar at 11:25 PM on Sunday night. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Who are the injured?

According to the police, 22 people were injured in the clash.

Among them, 9 are civilians and 13 are security personnel (8 from Nepal Police and 5 from Armed Police Force). All 9 injured civilians sustained bullet wounds to various parts of their bodies.

Jai Prakash Mehta, who is undergoing treatment at Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar, underwent surgery to remove a bullet from his abdomen. Mithilesh Mehta (injured in the left side of his abdomen), Hareram Yadav (left thigh), and Amlesh Mehta (back and neck) are also undergoing treatment at the same hospital with bullet injuries.

Dr. Sudip Khaniya, a surgeon at Neuro Hospital, confirmed that surgery was performed on one patient to extract a bullet.

“Looking at the injuries of the other victims being treated here, they also appear to be bullet wounds. Things will become clearer once detailed reports arrive,” he said.

Similarly, Rabindra Mehta, undergoing treatment at Birat Nursing Home, sustained a bullet wound to his left thigh and has been kept in the ICU.

At the same hospital, Amit Kumar Yadav was shot below the waist, Sunil Kumar Mehta in the left arm, and Sunil Mehta in the left calf.

Another injured victim, Amit Yadav, who was shot in the stomach and left hand, is currently receiving treatment in the ICU at Nobel Hospital.

Among the injured, Mithilesh Mehta is a Grade 10 student at the local Amar Singh Secondary School. His father, Dilip Mehta, who rushed to the hospital after receiving news of his son’s shooting, said: “He is my only child. He was shot in the stomach and has just undergone surgery.”

Root cause of the dispute: Bol Bam and DJ

The dispute broke out between two groups around 9:00 PM on Sunday over playing DJ music by a group preparing to embark on a Bol Bam pilgrimage for the holy Monday of Shrawan.

The verbal argument quickly escalated into a violent clash involving sticks, stones, and spears. The Kaptanganj market area turned tense after an agitated mob vandalized local homes, a pharmacy, and vehicles, while also attempting arson.

To bring the situation under control, police initially fired tear gas and warning shots. However, after the crowd attacked the security personnel directly, the Armed Police Force opened fire with live ammunition.

According to Sunsari Police Spokesperson DSP Chandra Khadka, Nepal Police fired 3 rounds and the Armed Police Force fired 22 rounds of warning shots.

Inspector Rakesh Rai of the Dewanganj Area Police Office sustained severe head injuries during the clash.