India, Nepal seal border after violent protests over mosque vandalism

Communal tension flared in parts of Nepal bordering India, prompting a high-security alert and the complete sealing of the India–Nepal border. The unrest centred around Birgunj town in Nepal’s Parsa district, adjacent to Raxaul in Bihar, where protests escalated into violence following a viral video on social media.

According to Nepal Police, the situation was triggered after a mosque was vandalised in the Sakhuwa Maran area of Kamala Municipality in Dhanusha district. A video of the vandalism spread rapidly online, after which alleged religious content began circulating on social media, further inflaming tensions.

Protests against the incidents in Dhanusha soon spilled over into Birgunj, where demonstrators burned tyres on Sunday morning. The agitation quickly turned violent, with protesters pelting stones at police personnel and vandalising a local police station, authorities said.

In response, the Parsa district administration imposed a curfew in Birgunj city to prevent further escalation. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation. Amid the deteriorating security scenario, India sealed all border points in the area, restricting cross-border movement except for emergency services.