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While the nation remains preoccupied with election-related politics, troubling developments are unfolding in the Tarai-Madhes region. Tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities have intensified in recent days, pushing the situation on the ground toward a fragile and vulnerable state.

Several parts of the southern plains have witnessed clashes and rising hostility, forcing local administrations to impose extended prohibitory orders and curfews to prevent further escalation. Although the situation has temporarily calmed following a five-point agreement signed by political parties and key stakeholders, past patterns suggest that the risk of renewed unrest remains high.

Under the agreement, religious protests and movements have been banned in Birgunj. In a welcome step, a Harmony Committee comprising representatives from both Hindu and Muslim communities has been formed to foster dialogue and prevent misunderstandings. 

While inter-community tensions in the Madhes are not new, the worrying factor today is their growing intensity and frequency—raising fears of wider and more dangerous confrontations. Over the years, disputes linked to religious processions, provocative social media content, and political mobilization have repeatedly triggered clashes, particularly in urban centers such as Birgunj. These incidents increasingly threaten the region’s long-standing tradition of social coexistence and communal harmony.

For a long time, the Nepali Army has cautioned successive governments and political parties about the deteriorating security situation in the region. Yet these warnings have largely gone unheeded. Compounding the problem, misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media continue to inflame emotions and provoke both communities.

Amid the recent unrest, Vice-president Ramsahya Prasad Yadav issued a public appeal urging citizens to refrain from spreading rumors, engaging in provocation, or resorting to violence. He warned that the misunderstandings, hostility, and conflicts witnessed in recent days have seriously challenged Nepal’s social harmony and pose a grave concern for the nation as a whole. Observers say  governments should carve out a multi-prong strategy to deal with the unfolding situation in Madhes.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson and Dr Suresh Suras Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTA) signed a Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) to safeguard Nepal’s cultural heritage and prevent illicit trafficking of artifacts. 

Under the agreement, the US will restrict import of designated Nepali archaeological (32,000 BCE–1770 CE) and ethnological (13th c.–1950) materials unless accompanied by a Nepali export certificate. Covered items include religious objects, manuscripts, and architectural elements.

The CPA strengthens bilateral cooperation, curbs looting, promotes responsible stewardship, supports cultural tourism, and fosters collaboration with US museums and researchers.

On the occasion, Ambassador Thompson stated, “the CPA underscores the deep respect the United States holds for Nepal’s cultural heritage.  It strengthens cooperation to prevent illicit trafficking, supports lawful cultural exchange, and reinforces our shared responsibility to protect Nepal’s cultural heritage for future generations.”

Secretary for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Mukunda Prasad Niroula said, “The Government of Nepal would like to thank the Government of the United States for its continued partnership in protecting Nepal’s cultural heritage.  Over the past two decades, this partnership through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and now the Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) reflects the strong Nepal–U.S. collaboration and our shared commitment to preventing illicit trafficking of cultural property and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.”

With 30 such agreements in force worldwide, the United States is a global leader in cultural heritage preservation.

The Cultural Property Agreement with Nepal builds on the United States’ longstanding commitment to protecting Nepal’s sovereignty and heritage, which includes support through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) for 28 projects over the past two decades.  

These projects have restored historic monuments and manuscripts, safeguarded cultural heritage sites, and recently established Nepal’s first modern conservation laboratory in Lumbini.

US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson today paid a farewell call on President Ram Chandra Paudel. 

During the meeting held at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas, the two discussed matters relating to the Nepal-US ties, mutual interests and concerns, according to the Office of the President. 

Thompson has served as the US Ambassador to Nepal since October, 2022. 

The Nepal Army (NA) has geared up its preparations to mobilize 80,000 army personnel in the run-up to the House of Representatives (HoR) elections to be held on March 5. 

NA's Brigadier General and Spokesperson Rajaram Basnet informed that the army force would be mobilized in the elections in accordance with the endorsed Integrated Security Plan 2082 which has already been approved by the President. 

"In line with the directive of the Integrated Security Plan, the army personnel would be mobilized in the field a month ahead of the elections," he shared. 

The government has endorsed the Integrated Security Plan while the National Security Council has also approved the matter of mobilizing the Army for election security. 

The Army would work in three phases in the course of the elections. 

The NA would bear the major responsibility of providing security to ballot paper printing in the pre-election time and vital structures during the elections. 

In coordination and collaboration with the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, the NA would take up the responsibility for providing security to vital structures such as airports and prisons. 

In the course of the elections, the NA would run election-related integrated training and drills in coordination, collaboration and cooperation of four security agencies and district administration offices. 

The Army would assure the security of political parties, candidates, voters and employees deputed in the elections keeping itself in the third circle while being mobilized in the polling booths and centers. 

As it has done in the past, the Nepal Army has made preparations to set up security bases at different places of the country targeting the election. 

With the conclusion of the voting in the election on March 5, the Army will take the responsibility for the security of transporting the ballot boxes and the vote counting stations.

Security seminars are currently being conducted at the provincial level as well to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful environment on the scheduled date, the Army stated.

The government will assess and analyse the situation to make additional security arrangements based on the suggestions received in the seminar.

The Army has stated that it is ready to provide election security as a primary duty of the state through coordination and cooperation with all security forces, local administration, and public representatives.