A curfew was imposed in Birgunj, a key border city in southern Nepal, after protests erupted between Hindu and Muslim groups following vandalism of a mosque over the weekend, officials said Tuesday.
The curfew orders issued by the Parsa District Administration said no one would be allowed in the streets, and all gatherings and demonstrations were banned.
The notice also warned that violators could be shot by security forces. Armed soldiers and police officers were patrolling the streets of Birgunj, which is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of Kathmandu.
Birgunj is described as the key border point for importing much of the oil, goods and supplies from neighboring India into Nepal, according to the AP report.
Muslim groups began protesting in Birgunj on Sunday against the vandalism of a mosque in a nearby town. Separate protests followed the same day, with Hindu followers staging a demonstration.
Protests have continued since the initial demonstrations, with authorities reporting no major clashes between the two groups. The AP said there were only scuffles with riot police.
The report said clashes between Hindus and Muslims are rare in Nepal, a predominately Hindu nation. It added that the Muslim population is mostly found in border regions in the southern part of the country.