Nepal Protests Live: Nepal witnessed a fresh wave of youth-led protests on Tuesday as Gen Z demonstrators took to the streets for a second consecutive day, demanding accountability, anti-corruption measures, and the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The unrest, which erupted after a controversial government decision and a social media blackout, turned violent with protesters storming homes of political leaders and torching the private residence of Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung in Sunakothi, Lalitpur.
Despite the government lifting the social media ban on Monday evening, protests continued unabated. The unrest, largely driven by college and school students, has been marked by clashes with police, who resorted to firing at multiple locations to disperse the crowds.
Police and local authorities also used water cannons, tear gas, and imposed curfews in parts of Kathmandu, including Kalanki and Baneshwor, as well as in Lalitpur’s Chapagaun-Thecho area. Demonstrators blocked roads by burning tyres and shouted slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” and “Take action against corrupt leaders,” voicing frustration over corruption, dwindling economic opportunities, and the recent online blackout.
The Nepal government updated the casualty figures, reporting 18 deaths and 250 injuries during Monday’s protests. In response to the escalating situation, PM Oli called the demonstrations an “unpleasant situation” and blamed the unrest on “ambiguity between the thinking” of the younger generation.
Expressing condolences, he assured that a committee would probe the incident and submit a report within 15 days to recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences.
The protests have also triggered regional security measures. The India-Nepal border has been placed on alert, with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) closely monitoring developments to prevent spillover of violence into Indian territory. Officials clarified that the alert is preventive and the situation remains under control.
The protests follow a government order that blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Reddit, citing non-compliance with local registration requirements. The restrictions, combined with entrenched corruption and governance grievances, have fueled widespread anger among Nepal’s youth, prompting them to demand urgent reforms and accountability from the administration.
As the demonstrations continue, curfews remain in place in several districts, and authorities are bracing for further unrest while coordinating relief and law enforcement efforts to restore order.a
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