KATHMANDU, Sept 10: Nepal, the Himalayan nation long known for its political fragility, is grappling with one of its worst crises in decades as Gen Z-led anti-corruption protests spiral into nationwide chaos. What began as demonstrations against alleged rampant corruption and a controversial social media ban has now snowballed into violent unrest, leaving dozens dead, government offices gutted, and the political leadership in disarray.
The protests turned deadly on Monday when police opened fire on crowds, killing 19 demonstrators. Within hours, anger boiled over into violent attacks, with protesters torching the Parliament building, homes of political elites including the President and Prime Minister, and several private properties. Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal’s residence was set ablaze, killing his wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, in one of the most tragic episodes of the uprising. Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was also assaulted publicly in Kathmandu.
The unrest forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and several cabinet members to resign, but the move failed to quell the protests. With security forces overwhelmed, the Nepal Army has assumed control, imposing a nationwide curfew and warning of strict reprisals against further violence.
The crisis has since deepened:
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- Death toll rises to 27 after five prisoners were killed in a jailbreak at Banke Juvenile Reform Home.
- Inmates escaped from Kapilvastu Prison after torching a nearby court building.
- Dillibazar Prison was set ablaze, prompting mass inmate transfers.
- Almost all district jails—except Baitadi—saw escape attempts, fueling fears of lawlessness.
- Looted weapons have been recovered in Kathmandu and Pokhara, while two police personnel were killed in Maharajganj Circle.
- A woman’s charred body was found in a torched house in Pokhara.
- UN Secretary-General issued a statement urging restraint and dialogue.
Meanwhile, robbery suspects were arrested in Kathmandu’s Bauddha area with NPR 3.3 million in seized cash, underscoring how the unrest has emboldened criminal activity.
With curfews enforced, prisons ablaze, and protests showing little sign of slowing, Nepal finds itself at a historic crossroads. The government is in disarray, the army is in control, and an emboldened younger generation is demanding sweeping political change raising questions about the country’s stability and the future of its fragile democracy.