Army takes charge of security as PM Oli resigns following massive protests
Kathmandu: Nepal reeled under a serious political crisis on Tuesday as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in the face of massive anti-government protests with the demonstrators attacking private residences of several high-profile leaders, headquarters of political parties, government buildings, and even vandalising the Parliament, a day after 19 people died in police action against the agitators.
The students-led protests appeared to reflect the growing public anger with the Oli dispensation over a range of issues including a ban on social media and inaction against alleged corruption as the protesters, defying curfews and heavy deployment of security forces, resorted to arson and stormed various key buildings and establishments. The Army took charge of security from Tuesday night following several incidents of arson, vandalism and looting in different parts of the country despite curfews.
A mob set a house belonging to former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal on fire in Dallu. His wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, who was trapped inside the house, sustained serious burn injuries, according to eyewitnesses.
She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries during treatment, news portal Khabarhub reported, citing family sources.
The protesters also burnt the house of former finance minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramsaran Mahat at Kapan, Kathmandu. The agitating groups set fire to the Supreme Court building, the main administrative complex of the government, Singhdurbar, the President’s Office at Maharajgunj, and the Prime Minister’s residence at Baluwatar. Kantipur Television office in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu was also vandalised by the agitating group, which set the building on fire.
Hours before Oli’s resignation, the protesters set on fire the Nepalese leader’s private house in Balkot, and attacked properties of President Ramchandra Paudel, former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The intensity of the protests that began on Monday against the government’s ban on social media sites grew on Tuesday with demonstrators taking out anti-government marches in all leading cities and towns.
Flight services at Tribhuvan international airport in Kathmandu have been partially suspended in view of the protests.
With the situation deteriorating rapidly, the top brass of Nepali Army and other security agencies issued a joint appeal calling for restraint and resolution of the crisis through dialogue.
“As the Prime Minister’s resignation has already been accepted by the President, we call upon all to restrain and not to allow more loss to life and property in this difficult situation,” they said.
“A peaceful resolution through dialogue is the only way to restore order and stability,” they said in a joint statement.
Oli stepped down shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office shouting slogans demanding his ouster for the death of at least 19 people in police action during the protests on Monday as well as for his alleged “inaction” against widespread corruption.
In his resignation letter to the President, the 73-year-old Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) cited the “extraordinary circumstances” facing Nepal and said he is quitting to pave the way for a “constitutional and political” resolution of the current situation.
Though the Nepal government last night revoked its ban on social media websites following the protests led by ‘Gen Z’ youths, the agitators continued their demonstration against corruption and demanding accountability for deaths of 19 people.
The agitators under the banner of Gen Z, shouted slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (KP thief, leave the country) and “Take action against corrupt leaders”.
A viral video on social media showed Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel being chased by protesters and later physically attacked by them.
President Ramchandra Paudel appealed to all parties to exercise restraint and come forward for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Demonstrations were reported from Kalanki, Kalimati, Tahachal, and Baneshwor in Kathmandu, as well as Chyasal, Chapagau, and Thecho areas of Lalitpur district. Protesters, mostly students, chanted slogans such as “Don’t kill students”, defying the restrictions on public gatherings.
In Kalanki, demonstrators burnt tyres to block roads from the early hours of the morning, according to eyewitness accounts.
The agitating youths also pelted stones at the residence of Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung in Sunakothi at Lalitpur district, eye witnesses said. Gurung had ordered a ban on the social media sites.
The Gen Z group, which has been campaigning against corruption for some time, has used social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram to expose what they called the “extravagant lifestyles of the children of ministers and other influential figures.”
They have posted videos and images, questioning the sources of wealth that fund such opulence, purportedly derived from corrupt practices.
The ban of social media sites was an attempt to suppress freedom of speech, the agitators said.
The Nepalese government had ordered the ban of 26 social media sites, including Facebook and ‘X’, over their failure to register with the government.
Among the other demands of the protesters include guarantee for freedom of expression, and the introduction of a retirement age for those holding political office, according to Gen Z activists.
Nepal Army has also issued a separate statement expressing its commitment to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national unity.
In a joint statement, the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America in Nepal urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation.
The United Nations in Nepal urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully and avoid violence, while also calling on authorities to ensure that law enforcement responses remain proportionate and consistent with international human rights standards.
