Protests in Nepal continued despite the government lifting the social media ban, leaving 22 dead and more than 300 injured. Gen Z protesters torched PM Oli’s residence, set fire to parliament buildings, and attacked homes of senior leaders.
Protests in Nepal escalated on Tuesday despite the government lifting the social media ban, leading to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation. Gen Z protesters torched all three branches of government – the parliament, Singha Durbar (the executive seat), and the Supreme Court. At least 22 people were killed and over 300 were injured in the unrest, which broke out on September 8. Protesters also stormed prisons across the country, reportedly freeing around 900 inmates.
Here are the latest developments
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned as violent protests over the government’s social media ban intensified. In his resignation letter, Oli said he was stepping down “to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically.”
Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel urged calm, calling on protesters to suspend their agitation and enter talks. “Easing the uncomfortable situation, protecting national heritage, public and private property, common citizens, diplomatic missions, and ensuring a sense of security is our common duty,” Sigdel said in a statement.
The Nepal Army had warned protesters against vandalism, looting, or arson, saying some groups were exploiting the unrest. It stressed that if such activities continued, all security forces, including the army, would take “decisive measures” to restore order.
KP Sharma Oli’s residence was torched, and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was chased through Kathmandu’s streets. Protesters also set fire to parliament building, clashed with police, and attacked the homes of senior leaders, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The death toll in Nepal’s protests rose to 22 on Tuesday, with more than 300 people injured as demonstrations entered their second day despite the government lifting the social media ban.
The Nepal Army on Tuesday took control of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport after agitators attempted to enter its premises in the evening.
Former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal’s wife, Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, died after sustaining critical burn injuries when their home in Dallu was set on fire. According to Nepali outlet Khabar Hub, Chitrakar was rushed to the Kirtipur Burn Hospital but did not survive.
Gen Z protesters broke into Nakkhu Jail and freed Nepal’s former Deputy Prime Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chief Rabi Lamichhane. Following his release, nearly 900 other inmates also walked out of the facility shortly afterward.
