Janakpur Curfew Lifted After Communal Tensions; Hospital Director Transferred Over Snakebite Death

Janakpur emerged from days of civil unrest in early August 2026 when authorities lifted a curfew imposed under the Local Administration Act, following a harmony rally that brought Hindu and Muslim leaders together with elected representatives. In separate developments, the director of Janakpur Provincial Hospital was transferred after a 25-year-old snakebite patient died when no ICU bed was available, and hundreds of residents staged a street protest against government eviction from trust and monastery land in the city.

🗳️ Curfew Lifted in Janakpur After Harmony Rally Restores Communal Peace

Authorities lifted the curfew in Janakpur at 10 am on August 1, 2026, following a decision of the District Security Committee. The curfew had been imposed under Section 6(A) of the Local Administration Act, 1971, after communal tensions gripped Dhanusha district. Chief District Officer Prem Prasad Luitel announced the lifting of the curfew, though prohibitory orders remained in force in several sensitive areas under Section 6(3)(A) of the same Act, banning gatherings of more than five people, public meetings, rallies and demonstrations. The restricted areas included Laxminiya Bazar, Belouni Road, Nagarain Municipality, Sinurjoda, Sohani, Manimandap, Nepal Nursery, ISKCON Janakpur, Dudhmati Bridge, and Bela Kadari Mosque. The easing of restrictions came after a harmony rally led by CDO Luitel brought together leaders of the Hindu and Muslim communities along with elected representatives and local officials. The rally began at Janakpur Railway Station and passed through different parts of the city. It was organised following a decision reached at an all-party meeting convened by the district administration the previous Friday. [8]

Janakpur Hospital Director Transferred After Snakebite Patient Dies Without ICU Care

The director of Janakpur Provincial Hospital, Dr Jamun Prasad Singh, a 10th-level senior consultant paediatrician under the Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences, was transferred to the Madhesh Ministry of Health and Population following the death of a snakebite patient who could not receive ICU care at the hospital. The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers' Office made the transfer, assigning Dr Indrajit Kumar Rajak as the new medical superintendent. The incident involved 25-year-old Mahesh Yadav of Mujeliya, Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City Ward 14, who reached the provincial hospital after being bitten by a snake on the night of September 29. Despite riding his scooter to the hospital himself, he was treated with 10 doses of anti-snake venom but his condition became critical and required intensive care. Hospital authorities reportedly referred him elsewhere citing no available ICU bed. After being taken to two more hospitals without receiving treatment, Yadav was eventually transported to the Snakebite Treatment Centre in Bardibas, where doctors declared him dead. The incident drew widespread public criticism of Janakpur Provincial Hospital over its capacity and accountability. [4]

🤝 Hundreds Protest in Janakpurdham Against Eviction from Trust and Monastery Land

Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Janakpurdham to protest what they described as the government's attempt to displace them from trust and monastery land. The protest was organised by the Guthi-Kuti Land Management Federation Struggle Committee, with men and women carrying placards and chanting slogans. The procession started from Mills Area and passed through Bhanu Chowk, Shiva Chowk, and Janak Chowk before concluding at Ram Mandir, where participants submitted a memorandum to the Guthi Sansthan. Protesters accused the current government led by Balendra Shah of trying to make them homeless. After the city procession, a corner meeting was held at Ramananda Chowk that blocked the main highway. Local resident Ramavaran Paswan warned of dire consequences if the government forcibly imposed its decision. Santosh Sah, chairman of the Federation, cited past protests including road blockades and torch rallies. The core demand was that the 30,000 to 35,000 households living on trust and monastery land within Janakpur city be issued raitaani numbers with land ownership certificates, arguing the constitution guarantees the right to shelter. [6]

Sources: [8] myRepublica · [4] OnlineKhabar English News · [6] Ratopati