Violent Protests Rock Nepal as Army Airlifts Ministers; Parliament Set Ablaze
Kathmandu, Sep 11 (TheTrendingPeople.com): Nepal is reeling from a wave of violent protests that erupted in the capital over the past week, forcing Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign and prompting army-led evacuations of government officials. Tens of thousands of demonstrators, largely organized by the youth-led “Gen Z” movement, have taken to the streets, vandalizing government properties and torching the Parliament building.
Chaos in Kathmandu
Videos circulating on social media depict dramatic scenes of unrest. In one widely shared clip, finance minister Bishnu Paudel was chased and kicked by protesters while attempting to flee. Another clip showed foreign affairs minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her husband, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, being attacked at their residence.
Army helicopters were deployed to airlift officials to safety. In one viral video, a rescue basket carried ministers over a Kathmandu hotel as thick smoke billowed in the background, with crowds screaming below.
Parliament Set Ablaze
On Tuesday, protesters stormed the capital en masse, targeting homes of government leaders and setting the Parliament building on fire. The unrest followed a brief government ban on social media platforms, a move that intensified public anger already fueled by allegations of corruption and political mismanagement.
Prime Minister Oli announced his resignation amidst the violence. The president has accepted it, appointing him caretaker until a new leader is chosen, though his authority and current whereabouts remain unclear.
President Ram Chandra Poudel urged protesters to engage in dialogue to prevent further escalation, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.
Push for Interim Leadership
The Gen Z movement, which has been at the forefront of the protests, proposed former chief justice Sushila Karki as a potential interim prime minister. Karki, 73, told AFP, “Experts need to come together to figure out the way forward. The parliament still stands.”
Her nomination, however, has sparked debate within Kathmandu. Other names being considered by protesters include Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah and former Nepal Electricity Authority CEO Kulman Ghising. The movement appears determined to select a leader who can navigate the country through a politically turbulent period.
Broader Context
The ongoing unrest comes amid increasing political polarization in Nepal and rising youth dissatisfaction with government accountability. Demonstrators have leveraged social media to mobilize support, especially among the younger population, making the brief ban on platforms a flashpoint for broader grievances.
Experts note that Nepal’s current instability may impact regional trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations, especially given the high-profile attacks on government leaders and public infrastructure.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Nepal’s recent protests underscore the challenges faced by governments when public trust erodes, particularly among youth movements that are digitally savvy and highly organized. The army-led evacuations highlight the severity of the situation, while debates over interim leadership reflect the urgency to restore political stability. As the country navigates this crisis, global observers are closely monitoring how peaceful resolution and democratic processes will unfold.