Kathmandu, September 9
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday resigned as violent youth-led protests rocked the capital Kathmandu and surrounding towns for a second consecutive day. His secretariat confirmed the resignation on Tuesday, shortly after four ministers quit the government. The unrest, led largely by Generation Z demonstrators, has been fuelled by anger over alleged corruption and a controversial social media ban.
At least 19 protesters were killed and hundreds injured in clashes with security forces around the Federal Parliament and other sites in Kathmandu on Monday, according to The Himalayan Times. Despite the government lifting the ban late that night, demonstrations continued on Tuesday, intensifying in scale and violence. Protesters stormed Singha Durbar, Nepal’s central administrative complex, after breaking through its western gate. Curfews have since been imposed in parts of Kathmandu.
Crowds also set fire to ruling party offices, Prime Minister Oli’s private residence in Balkot, and other political leaders’ homes. Properties linked to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were among those attacked. Security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters, and while authorities said live fire had not been authorised, local media reported bullet injuries among the demonstrators.
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has been closed, with the Nepali Army deployed to secure the facility.
The Kathmandu Post reported that the homes of several ministers, including Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung and the Nepal Rastra Bank Governor, were also targeted by demonstrators.
Oli expressed sorrow over the loss of lives before stepping down but offered no comment on the protesters’ demands.
ANI
