Parsa, Jan. 4 -- Local bodies in Nepal have called on all parties to maintain social harmony after communal tension flared on Sunday in Parsa and Dhanushadham districts, triggering a high security alert in the southern plains of the country.

The alert came in the wake of clashes in Birgunj, Parsa, which resulted in injuries to several police personnel. Issuing a notice, the District Administration Office (DAO), Parsa, urged everyone to maintain social harmony in the district.

"The Muslim community had come onto the streets. They had burnt tyres at two or three places. We held discussions with the leaders of the Muslim community as well as those protesting on the streets, and now the situation is under control and calm," Bhola Dahal, Chi...