After the election silence period began, Biratnagar had turned quiet. However, on Monday night, a suspicious object kept inside a black plastic bag at Danphe Chowk in Biratnagar Metropolitan City–7, in front of the District Administration Office, suddenly put security agencies on high alert.
Around midnight, CCTV footage showed a person arriving on a scooter, placing the bag, and leaving. This made the police even more cautious. Given the sensitive election period, the location near the administration office, and the stillness of the night, suspicion deepened.
Fearing it could be a bomb, police immediately sealed off the area. A team of temporary police personnel was also deployed. Roads around Danphe Chowk were cleared, public movement was halted, and security was tightened.
Suspecting an explosive device, police informed the Nepal Army. A team was called in from the Suryadal Battalion. Throughout the night, police and army personnel took turns monitoring the site.
Nearby residents watched from their windows, trying to understand the situation. Rumours that a “bomb had been found” had already begun circulating on social media.
At around 7 am on Tuesday, the army team carefully began the process of neutralising the object. Amid a heavy security presence and tense anticipation, the bag was opened. Shortly after, it became clear that it was not a bomb.
Inside the bag was a small clay pot that had been used in a religious ritual. The pot contained ashes and other worship materials. After a night of fear, Danphe Chowk gradually returned to normal.
According to Morang Police Chief SP Kabita Katwal, the timing was highly sensitive, and authorities could not afford to take any risks. She said that after CCTV footage showed a person placing the bag at midnight, immediate precautions were taken.
“Given that this happened on the eve of the election, we treated it as a potential threat,” she told Onlinekhabar. “Only after inspection did we feel relieved that it contained religious materials.”
Police have stated that they are searching for the individual who placed the suspicious object in a public place at midnight during the election period.
