What we know about clashes in Simara so far

Tensions escalated in Simara, Bara, on Wednesday after a confrontation between CPN-UML cadres and members of a local ‘Gen Z’ activist group led to injuries, flight disruptions, and the imposition of a curfew, prompting early calls for restraint from the federal government, human rights authorities, and youth representatives.

The confrontation unfolded around 10:30 AM at Airport Chowk (Simara Chowk), where Gen Z activists had gathered following a public call issued on Facebook by their local coordinator, Samrat Upadhyay, on Tuesday. The group said it intended to draw attention to the lack of justice for those killed and injured in the protests of September 8–9.

At roughly the same time, UML’s sister organisation, the National Youth Association Nepal, had scheduled a Madhesh Province–level mass gathering in Parwanipur, with senior party leaders including Shankar Pokharel and Mahesh Basnet arriving at Simara Airport.

Eyewitnesses and police said tensions escalated after UML cadres arrived at the intersection, leading to verbal arguments and then physical clashes. Videos circulating on the internet show a man, claimed to be a UML cadre, hitting a Gen Z activist at the intersection. At least five young people sustained injuries.

The crowd later surged toward Simara Airport, where clashes occurred near the gate. The airport entrance was damaged, and flight operations were disrupted, preventing UML leaders from flying into Simara.

The district administration imposed a curfew on Wednesday, from 12:30 PM to 8:00 PM, covering the stretch from Gandak Nahar Chowk to Pathlaiya Chowk along the Birgunj–Pathlaiya section of the Tribhuvan Highway and a 500‑metre perimeter around the airport.

Preliminary information provided to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) indicates that the injured filed complaints at the local police office against individuals they accuse of attacking them.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said Wednesday evening that the situation in Simara was “returning to normalcy” and emphasised that “mutual dialogue, coordination and cooperation of all sides are indispensable to maintain law and security.”

Tensions flared again on Thursday as groups remained in the area. 

During the day, the arrests of two UML ward representatives were confirmed: Jitpursimara Sub-Metropolitan City Ward 2 chair Dhan Bahadur Shrestha and Ward 6 chair Kaimuddin Ansari, in connection with Wednesday’s clashes. Authorities did not clarify the exact grounds for the arrests.

The NHRC, in a statement issued Thursday, said it was monitoring the incident and urged authorities to reinforce security, prevent repetition of such events, and protect freedoms of expression and assembly.

The Commission noted that the clash had created a volatile situation, disrupted flights, damaged the airport gate, and prevented UML leaders from reaching their provincial event. It warned that such incidents, in the lead-up to the March 5 elections, could undermine an environment conducive to free and fair polls and strain social harmony among political stakeholders. 

The NHRC stressed that the events risk infringing the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Article 17 of the Constitution and directed the government to strengthen security conditions, investigate the incident, and ensure effective treatment for the injured.

The district administration issued a curfew again on Thursday from 1 PM to 8 PM, stretching from Jitpur Lalka bridge to Pathlaiya Chowk, while informal communication channels were reported to be open between both sides to de-escalate tensions.

Police reportedly fired four rounds of tear gas on Wednesday, and on Thursday, they deployed six rounds of tear gas along with two rounds of aerial fire to control the crowd.

Meanwhile, representatives of the ‘Gen Z’ group said they had gathered peacefully to demand long-overdue action from the state. They criticised the administration for imposing a curfew without first engaging youth leaders, but said they were willing to participate in dialogue if the government ensured impartiality and transparency.

Politicians also responded. 

UML Chair KP Sharma Oli condemned the youth mobilisation in Simara, describing the protest as politically instigated and accusing activists of obstructing a pre-scheduled political event. 

Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma warned that suppressing or misusing youth-led spaces could undermine the spirit of the Gen Z movement and urged authorities to handle the situation with care, ensuring that peaceful protests are respected.