KATHMANDU, Sep 10 (Alliance News): Armed soldiers stood guard outside Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday as the capital remained under indefinite curfew following two days of violent anti-corruption protests that forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
The unrest, the most serious political upheaval in decades, was triggered by a now-revoked social media ban but spiraled after at least 19 people were killed on Monday when police used tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators.
On Tuesday, enraged protesters set fire to parliament, reducing its main hall to a charred shell as army firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
Several other state buildings, including the Supreme Court, ministerial residences, and Oli’s private home, were also torched.
Burnt vehicles and twisted metal littered Kathmandu’s streets, which remained deserted under heavy military presence.
Among the victims was Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, who died when protesters allegedly set her residence ablaze, her family confirmed.
Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said the top priority was restoring calm, stressing that the military was committed to protecting lives and property.
Armoured vehicles patrolled silent streets as markets, shops, and offices stayed shuttered. Kathmandu’s main airport was temporarily closed, disrupting flights until 6 p.m. (1215 GMT), officials said.
In an appeal posted on X, the army said prohibitory orders would remain in place until Thursday morning while political actors worked to defuse the crisis.
Media outlets reported preliminary preparations for talks between authorities and protest leaders, though details remained unclear.
Former Supreme Court judge Balaram KC urged protesters to appoint a negotiation team and called for parliament’s dissolution.
“Parliament should be dissolved and fresh elections held,” he told Reuters, adding that discussions should also focus on forming a caretaker government.
The protests have been led largely by young people, reflecting widespread frustration over entrenched corruption, weak governance, and limited economic opportunities.
With few jobs at home, millions of Nepalis have sought work abroad—mainly in the Middle East, Malaysia, and South Korea—often in low-wage construction jobs to support families through remittances.
Nepal, wedged between India and China, has faced recurring bouts of political and economic instability since the abolition of its monarchy in 2008. The latest unrest is seen as a watershed moment for the fragile democracy.
India’s security cabinet convened late Tuesday to review the deteriorating situation in Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for calm, stressing Nepal’s importance for regional stability.
“Nepal’s stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance,” he wrote on X. “I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order.”
For now, Nepal remains on edge, awaiting clarity on whether dialogue can quell the unrest or if the Himalayan nation will plunge deeper into political crisis.
