Madhesh-Focused Lawmakers Pledge to Prevent Further Violence During Meeting with Prime Minister

 

Kathmandu, July 31 — Lawmakers of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) representing constituencies across the Madhesh region have pledged to play an active role in preventing any further violence and maintaining peace in their respective areas.

During a meeting convened by Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Friday, the lawmakers committed to continuing dialogue with local stakeholders, monitoring those spreading misinformation on social media, and working to preserve communal harmony.

The lawmakers also urged the government to strengthen security along the Nepal–India border, temporarily restrict the sale and distribution of alcohol in sensitive areas, gradually lift curfews as the situation improves, and launch public awareness campaigns promoting social harmony, particularly among Gen Z youth.

Dhanusha-3 lawmaker Manish Jha called for legal action, through the Press Council, against individuals responsible for spreading false information. He noted that many of those involved in the recent unrest were between the ages of 12 and 22 and recommended targeted awareness campaigns for that age group.

Kapilvastu-2 lawmaker Bikram Thapa shared his district’s experience of successfully controlling similar incidents through immediate dialogue among concerned parties. He stressed that rumors spread via social media can quickly escalate tensions and therefore require close monitoring.

Rautahat lawmaker Gazala Shamim Mikrani emphasized the need for a long-term strategy to prevent such incidents from recurring. She suggested introducing social harmony and civic awareness programs in schools and colleges while giving greater attention to the concerns of minority communities.

Bara-4 lawmaker Rahbar Ansari said the government should identify the root causes of such incidents rather than focusing only on immediate control measures. He warned that misinformation spread through various social media groups was creating confusion and urged increased surveillance, especially in sensitive areas such as Birgunj and Bara.

Kapilvastu-1 lawmaker Mohanlal Acharya stressed the importance of involving young people in campaigns promoting communal harmony. Dhanusha-4 lawmaker Rajkishor Mahato suggested mobilizing trusted local community leaders to help defuse tensions.

Bara-2 lawmaker Chandan Kumar Singh said loud DJ music played during religious and cultural events has often contributed to tensions between communities and called for stronger regulations on its use.

Sarlahi-1 lawmaker Nitima Karki (Bhandari) said the situation in her district is currently normal despite isolated attempts to create unrest. She also supported regulating DJ use, maintaining close coordination with local representatives, and ensuring continuous dialogue with communities.

During the meeting, the lawmakers agreed that the recent unrest should not be viewed solely as a security issue but also as a social, political, and information-management challenge requiring a comprehensive and long-term response.