Kathmandu Gripped by Indefinite Curfew Amidst Fiery Border Protests; India Issues Urgent Advisory

A palpable tension hangs heavy over Kathmandu as authorities declare an indefinite curfew across the capital, a drastic measure to quell widespread student and youth protests. The protests, fueled by allegations of Indian land encroachment in the disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura, have brought daily life to a standstill in the heart of Nepal.

The District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu announced the stringent prohibitory orders, effectively shutting down key areas including Baluwatar, Lainchaur, Ratnapark, Baneshwar, and Maitighar.

This move comes as student wings, notably from the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) – Maoist Centre, intensified their demonstrations, demanding a definitive resolution to the long-standing border dispute and an assertion of Nepal's sovereignty over the contested regions.

In response to the escalating unrest, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has issued a critical advisory for its citizens.

Urging caution and heightened awareness, the embassy has advised Indians to avoid unnecessary movement, stay updated on local developments, and strictly adhere to directives from local authorities. The advisory also provided helpline numbers, underscoring the seriousness with which New Delhi views the evolving situation.

The current wave of protests is deeply rooted in a historical border disagreement that reignited with force in 2019 after India published a new political map, which Nepal contended included its sovereign territory.

Nepal retaliated by issuing its own map, further solidifying its claim over Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura. The recent visit of Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to India appears to have inadvertently fanned the flames of discontent, with protestors accusing the government of not adequately addressing the territorial dispute.

Witnesses describe chaotic scenes in the days leading up to the curfew, with students clashing with police, barricades being erected, and public transport disrupted.

The government's decision to impose an indefinite curfew reflects the growing concern over maintaining peace and order in a city increasingly paralyzed by political fervor. While the immediate aim is to de-escalate the situation, the underlying border dispute continues to simmer, posing a significant challenge to India-Nepal relations.