KATHMANDU, Sep 10 (Alliance News): Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died on Tuesday after suffering fatal burn injuries when protesters allegedly set her home ablaze in Dallu, Kathmandu, Indian media reported.
Family members said demonstrators forced her inside the residence before igniting the fire. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries after sustaining severe burns, including to her lungs.
Her death came as violent, Gen Z-led protests swept Nepal for a second consecutive day, fuelled by corruption allegations, unemployment, and widespread outrage over a controversial social media ban.
Although the government lifted the ban late Monday, demonstrators continued torching buildings, prompting authorities to shut down Kathmandu airport temporarily and India to issue an advisory urging its nationals to remain indoors.
Videos shared online showed the parliament building engulfed in flames along with residences of top leaders, including President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and former premiers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel was also reportedly attacked, though the authenticity of some footage could not be independently verified.
The unrest followed one of the deadliest crackdowns in years, when at least 19 people were killed during Monday’s rallies.
Mounting pressure forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign, with aides confirming he stepped down after consultations with the Nepal Army Chief.
President Ram Chandra Paudel, whose offices were also targeted by mobs, appealed for restraint, urging “all parties to exercise restraint, to not allow further damage.”
Neighbouring India also expressed concern, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing that “the stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us.”
The United Nations rights chief, Volker Türk, said he was “appalled” by the scale of the violence and called for immediate dialogue.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the attacks on the media after Kantipur Media Group’s headquarters were set ablaze, urging protesters not to target journalists.
The International Crisis Group described the upheaval as a “major inflection point in the country’s uneasy experience with democratic rule.”
While Kathmandu’s airport reopened after partial closure, several flights were cancelled as thick smoke from fires reduced visibility, according to airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa.
The situation in the capital remained tense, with security forces deployed in large numbers and curfews enforced to prevent further escalation.
