The Kapilvastu District Administration Office on Sunday clamped curfew in Krishnanagar, a marketplace near Nepal-India border, after tension flared up over the immersion of Durga idols.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Arjun Prasad Pokharel said the local administration imposed curfew in Krishnanagar for an indefinite period since 5pm to maintain law and order in the area. The security personnel informed the locals about the curfew order and asked them not to come out of their house during the curfew.

Krishnanagar remained tense since Friday evening after some unidentified persons hurled stones at procession while the Durga idols were being carried around the town. The assailants threw stones from roof of the houses near a local mosque. The local administration and the disputing groups of locals reached an agreement on Saturday evening to arrest the assailants involved in hurling stones.

The tension ensued again on Sunday as Hindu and Muslim communities were divided over the route to move around the idols for immersion. Police fired six rounds of warning shots and lobbed three teargas canisters to contain the situation. Deputy Superintendent of Police Rabi Rawal said the security personnel were compelled to use force as the dispute between two sides turned violent.

Security has been beefed up in Krishnanagar area after the incident. More than 500 police personnel have been deployed in the area to contain the situation. Human movement through Nepal-India border point has been stopped in view of the security threat.

Meanwhile, the Durga idols were immersed in the Surai stream amid tight security during the curfew at around 7pm.