Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after protests led by Gen Z turned violent again. Protesters broke into the homes of several leaders and set fire to the private houses of Oli and communication minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, according to local media reported by The Himalayan.
Indian Embassy Provides Helpline Numbers
The Indian Embassy in Nepal released emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens stuck in the country, stating, “All Indian nationals in Nepal should note these numbers for any urgent help or assistance: +977 – 980 860 2881 and +977 – 981 032 6134. Earlier on Tuesday, protesters stormed Nepal’s Parliament, blocked roads, and burnt tyres. Police used tear gas, and clashes broke out. The protesters have been demanding Oli’s resignation. Flights at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport were halted over “unprecedented” security issues, and the airport will stay closed until authorities announce otherwise. In addition, Nepal’s agriculture minister, Ram Nath Adhikari, resigned, criticising the government’s crackdown on Gen Z protests, which left 19 people dead across Kathmandu and other areas the day before. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak also stepped down.
Celebrations and Flight Cancellations
Following Oli’s resignation, protesters were observed celebrating, and his private home in Bhaktapur was set ablaze. The unrest led several Indian airlines to cancel or reroute flights. Air India called off multiple services on the Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi route, including AI2231/2232, AI2219/2220, AI217/218, and AI211/212. A company spokesperson said they are closely watching the situation, emphasising that passenger and crew safety remains their highest priority. IndiGo has halted all flights going to and from Kathmandu and advised passengers to opt for other flights or request refunds.
Oli Calls for Calm and Explains Situation
Before resigning, Oli called for an all-party meeting at 6 pm on Tuesday. He asked everyone to stay calm and said he was trying to find a solution. He called the protests an “unpleasant situation” caused by misunderstanding between the government and the thinking of Gen Z. Oli added that the government did not plan to stop social media and said there was no reason to protest after the ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, and X was lifted.
Investigation and Condolences
Oli promised a full investigation into the protests and said a report would be ready in 15 days. He expressed condolences to the families of those who died and said the government will provide support to the families and free treatment to the injured.
Social Media Ban Lifted
The Nepal government lifted the social media ban after protests, during which 19 people died while demanding anti-corruption measures and an end to the blackout. In an emergency meeting on Monday, the cabinet decided to lift the ban, which had been imposed since September 4. Many protesters, mostly students, also expressed frustration over limited economic opportunities and corruption.
