Nepal witnessed significant acts of violence, arson, and vandalism for the second consecutive day during anti-government protests over social media bans, nepotism, and corruption. Following a meeting with the army chief, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday, but the violent demonstrations persisted. Gen-Z protesters targeted public properties, setting fire to private residences of President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Kathmandu.
Demonstrators set ablaze the Supreme Court, Attorney General's Office, and the Nepali Congress premises. Police outposts outside the residences of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) were incinerated. The central office of the CPN-UML party was also vandalized, and a gate of the Parliament was torn down and set afire. On Kathmandu streets, agitated protesters were seen looting computers, chairs, and utensils from the Parliament House.
Attacks were also reported on the residences of Information and Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung and Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. Protesters even set fire to the Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu, owned by a leader of the ruling party. Reports of arson also emerged from Chandrapur Municipality in Rautahat district. Despite efforts by police and the army using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse the crowds, the violence showed no signs of abating. Hundreds of youth took to the streets, defying curfew restrictions.
In a heartfelt plea, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah appealed to the protesters to cease violence. He posted on his social media platforms in Nepali, "Please Gen-Z, the country is in your hands. It's time to manage it. Any loss, now, will only hurt you, us, and the country. Go back home." Balendra Shah is a popular figure among the youth in Nepal, with Gen-Z protesters demanding he be made interim Prime Minister until the next government is selected.
Source: aajtak
The NGO 'Hami Nepal', which organized the protests, urged demonstrators to refrain from violence. The organization shared a message on social media and instant messaging apps, "The government has already fallen. It's time to step back and prevent destruction. Every act of violence and each life lost brings more pain. Ultimately, we'll have to suffer and rebuild everything. Please, stop this madness. Stay disciplined, stay united, and focus on building the better Nepal we all strive for."
Following 'Hami Nepal's appeal, protesters used various social media platforms to urge each other not to damage public properties. The protesters themselves began guarding public properties to protect them from the enraged crowd. Although the government lifted the social media ban last night, protesters escalated their demand for the dissolution of the Oli government. Gen-Z protesters held a victory march on Kathmandu streets.
