Nepal has been gripped by widespread street protests that escalated into severe violence after clashes between demonstrators and security forces. At least 22 people he been reported killed over two days of unrest and crowds in the capital Kathmandu set fire to the parliament complex.
Violence, property damage and prison breaksOn Monday, clashes around government buildings left 19 anti-corruption protesters dead. Three further fatalities were reported on Tuesday as demonstrations continued.
Rioters attacked public and private property across the country. In Kathmandu, thick plumes of smoke rose from the Singha Durbar area, which houses parliament and other state offices, after the building was overrun and set alight. Protesters also torched the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and the homes of senior figures.
Authorities reported security problems beyond the capital: jail officials said about 900 inmates escaped from two prisons in western districts amid the disorder.
Targets of the unrest Parliament buildings in Kathmandu were stormed and badly damaged. The house of Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader of the Nepali Congress, was set on fire. The residence of KP Sharma Oli, the outgoing prime minister, was also attacked. Triggers and protesters’ grievancesThe immediate spark for the demonstrations was a government order to block access to multiple social media platforms after they failed to meet a registration deadline. The restriction was lifted on Monday, but by that point large-scale protests had already formed.
Young people had been mobilising online earlier over perceptions of elite privilege and corruption, including a campaign that highlighted the lifestyles of politicians’ children. Protesters he rallied broadly under an anti-corruption banner, and the movement appears largely spontaneous without a clear central leadership.
Voices from the streetKathmandu resident Muna Shreshta, 20, who joined the crowd outside parliament, said: “high time our nation, our prime minister, and anyone in power changes, because we need to change”.
She added: “It has happened now and we are more than happy to witness this and fight for this. I hope this change will bring something that is positive to us.”
Political fallout and the prime minister’s resignationAmid the chaos, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli submitted his resignation to President Ramchandra Paudel. In his letter Mr Oli stated: “In view of the adverse situation in the country, I he resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution.”
An aide to President Paudel told news agencies the resignation had been accepted and that officials had begun the “process and discussions for a new leader”.
With Mr Oli stepping down, it remained unclear who would immediately take charge; some senior figures, including ministers, were reported to he sought refuge with security forces as events unfolded.
Security response and warningsThe chief of the Nepal Army issued a statement late on Tuesday criticising demonstrators for causing widespread damage, looting and arson. The statement said that if the unrest continued, “all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation,” effective from 22:00 local time, without giving further details on specific measures.
Official explanationsNepal’s government defended the social media restrictions as an attempt to curb fake news, hate speech and online fraud, but many young people saw the move as an attack on free expression. A government minister acknowledged the political pressure on authorities, saying they lifted the ban after an emergency meeting to “address the demands of Gen Z”.
What happens nextThe immediate priorities are restoring public order, accounting for the dead and injured, and securing key institutions. Political leaders he signalled talks to find a constitutional path forward, but the depth of public anger and the scale of damage pose significant challenges for a rapid return to stability.