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An all-party meeting, including representatives of district-based political parties, has appealed to the public to maintain social harmony in Birgunj Metropolitan City, which has recently seen tensions related to social and religious beliefs.

The meeting, convened at the initiative of the District Administration Office, Parsa, emphasized unity and dialogue as essential to resolving the issue. 

Speaking at the gathering, acting President of Nepali Congress Parsa, Ram Narayan Kurmi, said communities must be prepared to address the problem collectively.

“Inciting disputes in society is never in the interest of any community,” he said. “It is urgent for everyone to come together and strengthen the social goodwill that has existed for centuries, while also ensuring peace and security.”

Hari Panta of the Rastriya Swatantra Party stressed the need for both Hindu and Muslim religious leaders to take the lead in resolving the issue through dialogue and by seeking a lasting solution. 

He added that it has become increasingly urgent for all stakeholders to join hands to address discords that have surfaced in Birgunj over the past two to four years.

Similarly, Bal Gopal Thapa, Chair of CPN (Unified Socialist) Parsa, was of the view that the dispute appears to be influenced by the tendency to imitate conflicts seen in other areas.

Youth leader of the Janata Samajbadi Party, Tabrej Ahmad, said that an incident occurring outside the country should not be protested in Birgunj. 

He called on everyone to play a constructive role in establishing Birgunj as a zone of peace.

Parsa’s Chief District Officer, Bhola Dahal, said the district administration is working closely with all concerned bodies to maintain social harmony. “Religious or social conflict benefits no one,” he said, urging all sections of society to unite and contribute to lasting peace.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 3, 100 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 268, 100 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 265, 000 per tola on Monday. 

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 4, 880 per tola today.

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol will undergo surgery later this week after breaking his shinbone in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League, Xinhua reported. 

The 23-year-old Croatia international was forced off after 51 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Fellow center-back Ruben Dias also withdrew through injury around half an hour later.

The club said it was still working to "ascertain the full extent" of Gvardiol's injury and the expected timeframe for his recovery, according to Xinhua. 

Yasser Ibrahim’s superb header and Mohamed Salah's breakaway strike earned record seven-time champions Egypt a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 on Monday, Reuters reported. 

Egypt led after 69 minutes through a brilliant 25-metre strike from Marwan Attia, but Benin forced the game into an additional 30 minutes when they equalised late on through Jodel Dossou.

Defender Ibrahim scored his first international goal on 97 minutes when he met Attia's cross with a ‌header from 15 yards that looped into the top corner of the ‌net, and Salah raced clear to add the third with the last kick of the game, according to Reuters. 

Ademola Lookman turned in a virtuoso performance as Victor Osimhen struck twice to lead Nigeria to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 on Monday, Reuters reported. 

Nigeria’s dominance was near total as Lookman scored the opening goal and produced three assists to drive his side into the quarter-finals, where they will meet Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Akor Adams netted the other ‌goal.

The scoreline was the biggest margin of victory at the tournament ‌in Morocco and could easily have been doubled had Nigeria not spurned easy chances, according to Reuters. 

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah said his team was not among the favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations title, but insisted they would give their best to go deeper in the tournament in Morocco, Reuters reported. 

Liverpool forward Salah scored the third goal to secure Egypt's spot in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Benin on Monday.

Hossam Hassan's side are bidding to win the title for the first time since 2010 and a record eight times overall, according to Reuters. 

The District Administration Office, Parsa has extended the curfew order from 8 am to 1 pm on Tuesday. 

On Monday, the DAO had issued the curfew order from 6 pm to 8 am today in the Birgunj Metropolitan City Area.

Chief District Officer of Parsa, Bhola Dahal, said that attempts are on to resolve the disputes.

It is noted that the curfew order was issued to maintain law and order in view of potential conflicts between the two ethnic communities.

The administration has stated that the vehicles of essential service will be allowed to run even during the curfew hour and has urged the people to coordinate with the security agencies in case they need to come out of their homes. 

The local administration has stated that gathering, rallies and demonstrations are not allowed during the curfew hour in the Bus Park area in the east, Sirsiyapul in the west, Powerhouse Chowk in the north and Shankaracharya Gate in the south.

Three local levels in Kanchanpur district have decided to close the academic institutions for three days due to excessive cold.

Normal life in the district has been affected following the biting cold. 

The three local levels have closed both the community and institutional schools for three days from Monday to Wednesday.

Laljhadhi Rural Municipality, Belauri Municipality and Beldadi Rural Municipality announced schools closure for three days to avoid the impacts of cold on children. 

The local levels have also urged the guardians to keep their children at home and adopt precautions to stay away from the cold wave.

The leave given to the students will be managed by reducing the winter vacation, the Laljhadhi Rural Municipality stated.  

Meanwhile, the normal life in the market area has also been affected and the human mobility has slowed due to excessive cold in the district headquarters.