Nepal Army rare street deployment ” stabilizes ” order in Kathmandu capital after Police lose control. Two consecutive days of protests resulted in at least 19 deaths, hundreds injured, and forced Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (Unified Marxist-Leninist) chairman Oli (K.P. Sharma Oli) to resign.
On Tuesday night, Kathmandu imposed a curfew in response to the deadly anti-corruption protests for two consecutive days. Burned vehicles and twisted metal debris could be seen around the parliament, where firefighters struggled to put out a major fire in the main hall, while the exterior walls of the building darkened from angry protesters setting fires on Tuesday.
“We are working hard to restore normalcy first,” said Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet. “We promise to protect people’s lives and property.”
Armored vehicles patrolled the streets, urging people to stay at home. Except for a few pedestrians, the streets were empty, with shops and markets closed. The military statement noted that 21 suspected looters have been arrested.
Several government buildings, including the Supreme Court, minister residences, and Oli’s private residence, were set on fire during Tuesday’s protests. The situation gradually calmed down only after news of Oli’s resignation spread.
Currently, Oli still leads the caretaker government in name until a new government is formed. However, it is unclear how much power he will wield or even where he is located.
Flight operations were also disrupted, with Kathmandu’s main airport closed until 6 pm local time on Wednesday.
Nepal’s military announced on X platform that the curfew will continue until Thursday morning, adding that relevant parties are working together to handle the post-protest situation and seek solutions.
Local media reported that authorities are preparing to engage in dialogue with protesters, but no details were provided.
Former Supreme Court Judge Balaram K.C. urged protesters to form a negotiation team, assisted by the military to maintain law and order, and called for fresh elections.
The constitutional expert told Reuters, “The parliament should be dissolved, and new elections should be held. They should discuss forming the next caretaker government.”
Most protesters are young people disillusioned with the government’s failure to effectively combat corruption and improve the economy.
For years, lack of job opportunities has forced millions to work on construction sites in Malaysia, the Middle East, and South Korea.
The protest, known as the “Z Generation Protest,” was sparked by the government’s blocking of platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube, claiming these companies were not registered and accepting government regulation.
However, the protest quickly spread, reflecting broader discontent. Many young people are particularly angry that children of politicians can enjoy luxurious lifestyles and privileges while most youth struggle to find jobs.
According to World Bank data, over 20% of Nepal’s 30 million population live in poverty, with the latest official estimates putting the youth unemployment rate at 22%. Over 2,000 young people are estimated to leave the country daily for jobs in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
A former military official in Kathmandu said the situation seemed to be calming down after the military took control.
“Currently, there are no reports of violence on the streets because the military has taken over to maintain order,” said retired Nepali Army General and independent military analyst Binoj Basnyat. “Protesters are remaining calm, and there have been no new violent incidents reported.”
Nepal is the latest country in South Asia to undergo a political upheaval due to anti-government protests.
Last year, protests in Bangladesh led to the resignation of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina, while the Sri Lankan government also fell during massive unrest in 2022.
Situated between India and China, Nepal has been politically and economically unstable since overthrowing the monarchy in 2008.
However, Nepal has significant hydroelectric potential. Under Oli’s leadership, Nepal has had closer relations with the Chinese Communist authorities, while India seeks to contain its rival’s influence in the region.
With Oli stepping down, several key ministers have also resigned due to criticism, leading to a political vacuum domestically and influencing the power struggle between India and China in the region.
India’s National Security Cabinet held a meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the neighboring country’s situation.
Indian Prime Minister Modi later posted on X platform, “Stability, peace, and prosperity in Nepal are crucial. I appeal to all brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order.”