Curfew Imposed in Bara After Protests Erupt Over Arrival of Shankar Pokhrel and Mahesh Basnet

A curfew has been imposed in Bara’s Simra after protests erupted over the planned appearance of CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel and Mahesh Basnet at a youth event.

The protests began when youth groups demonstrated against Pokhrel and Basnet’s participation as chief guests in a “Youth Awakening Campaign” organized by the National Youth Union Nepal, Madhesh Province Committee, in Chanipur (Ward 4), Parwanipur Municipality.

After the demonstrations intensified, the local administration issued a curfew.

Chief District Officer Dhamendra Kumar Mishra said the curfew was imposed to protect government and private property — including officials, workers, and public offices — from damage, as clashes continued around Simra Airport between youth protesters and politically affiliated groups.

Under Section 6(ka) and (kha) of the Local Administration Act, 2028, the curfew will run from 12:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the designated “Four Forts” area of Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City.

The order prohibits all movement, gatherings, rallies, protests, encirclements, or meetings within 500 meters of both the Gandak Canal–Pathlaiya highway stretch and around Simra Airport.

Tensions reached a breaking point after Pokhrel and Basnet’s planned visit, with reports of vandalism at Simra Airport.