Kathmandu, 18 August (H.S.):

Government committees constituted to investigate communal clashes in Dewanganj in Nepal’s Sunsari district and Golbazar in Siraha district have completed their inquiries and submitted their reports to the Home Minister.

The clash between members of the Hindu and Muslim communities in Kaptanganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality on July 26 had repercussions in other parts of Madhes Province as well.

Three people were killed during the violence in Kaptanganj. Sunsari residents Om Prakash Mehta, 30, Jai Prakash Mehta, 20, and Ravindra Mehta, 22, died after sustaining gunshot wounds.

In a separate incident in Golbazar, Siraha, 18-year-old Ganesh Yadav was killed in a clash with police during a protest. The government had constituted separate committees to investigate the two incidents and conduct on-the-ground assessments.

Home Ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Anand Kafle said both committees submitted their reports to Home Minister Sudan Gurung on Tuesday.

“Both committees have submitted their investigation reports. The findings and recommendations contained in them are now being examined,” Kafle said.

The Kaptanganj incident was investigated by a committee headed by Home Ministry Joint Secretary Bhupendra Thapa. The Golbazar incident was investigated by another committee led by Home Ministry Joint Secretary Pushparaj Shahi, which also submitted its report along with recommendations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar