Nepal in chaos; PM Oli resigns and flees to Dubai, wife of former PM burnt alive, Parliament building and houses of leaders set ablaze

KATHMANDU: The protests led by Gen-Z youths in Nepal against the social media ban have spiralled out of control, turning into large-scale violence. Even though the ban has been lifted, protesters continue to riot, targeting politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, along with their families. The homes of the President and Prime Minister were set on fire. Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, was burned to death at her residence in Dallu, Kathmandu. Parliament and the Supreme Court buildings were also torched. Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was chased and beaten up by people on the streets. At least 24 people have been killed, and the capital has plunged into chaos resembling a war zone.

Unable to contain the youth unrest, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned and fled to Dubai. There were rumours that President Ram Chandra Poudel had also stepped down, but the army denied this. With governance collapsing, the army has taken over law and order duties.

The houses of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung were also set ablaze. Ministers had to be airlifted to safety by the army. Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was shut down.

Protesters demand Kathmandu Mayor as PM
Protesters stormed the residence of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and attacked him and his wife, Arzu. Offices of political parties were looted. In Kathmandu, three policemen were killed by protesters. Gautam Buddha International Airport was also attacked. Several government and security vehicles were torched. Around 1,500 prisoners escaped from Nakhu Jail in Lalitpur.

Meanwhile, protesters are now demanding that Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah be made the Prime Minister. However, the President has said the current cabinet will continue.

Malayalis will be evacuated

• Security has been tightened in Indian states bordering Nepal, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indians to avoid travelling to Nepal and for those already there not to step outside.
• Union Minister George Kurian said efforts are underway to bring back 40 Malayalis stranded in Kathmandu.
• With Nepal’s border closed, more than 3,000 Indian pilgrims, including Malayalis, are stranded in Darchen, China, after visiting Kailash Mansarovar. They will be safely brought back.