Last Updated:

Nepal Prime Minister Oli resigned after nationwide protests turned violent, leaving 19 dead. The unrest persisted despite curfews and the lifting of the social media ban.

Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday resigned from their posts as massive “Gen Z" protests continued for the second day over corruption.

The Nepalese Army is likely to take charge of the country. Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel is set to address the nation shortly.

Hundreds of protesters attacked the PM’s office and vandalised the residences of several political leaders after 19 people were killed and over 300 injured in Monday’s stir. The buildings of the Supreme Court and Parliament were also set ablaze.

The protesters, 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" in multiple parts of the capital city, Kathmandu. The agitators torched Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur, while he was at the Prime Minister’s residence at Balwatar.

As per top Nepalese sources, Oli is unlikely to go out of the country immediately.

OLI HAD CALLED FOR AN ALL-PARTY MEET TODAY

Oli’s resignation also came hours after he had called for an all-party meeting to discuss Nepal’s fast-deteriorating political situation amid intensifying student-led anti-government protests that have spread across the country.

Oli had issued a statement announcing the meeting for 6 pm, though the venue was not specified.

He said dialogue was the way to resolve the crisis.

Protests in Nepal escalated on Tuesday, despite curfew orders in Kathmandu and other parts of the country, and even after the country’s government lifted the ban on social media.

Demonstrators demanded Oli’s resignation, saying Lekhak’s exit was not sufficient.

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, PTI quoted eyewitnesses as saying.

Gurung had ordered a ban on the social media sites.

The protesters vandalised the residences of former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at Khumaltar in Lalitpur, and of Sher Bahadur Deuba’s at Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu.

The Gen Z group, which has been campaigning against corruption for some time, has been using social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram to expose the extravagant lifestyles of the children of ministers and other influential figures.

They have been posting videos and images, questioning the sources of wealth that fund such opulence, purportedly derived from corrupt practices.

The ban of social media sites, they said, was an attempt to suppress freedom of speech.

The Nepalese government had ordered the ban of 26 social media sites, including Facebook and X, over their failure to register with the government.

However, in a late-night development on Monday, the government announced the restoration of access to social media platforms, in an apparent bid to ease public anger.

ALSO READ | Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport Shut Down Amid Unrest, All Flight Operations Halted

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Getbreaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!

tags :

view comments

First Published:

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to ourTerms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Loading comments...