Nepal army deployed as protesters want ex-CJ as interim leader

Nepal Army guard Katmandu streets as protesters go berserk.

Dhaka, Sept 11 (UNB/AP) – Nepal’s army moved to restore order Wednesday after two days of deadly protests that forced the government to collapse, leaving at least 25 dead and more than 600 injured, officials said. Soldiers patrolled the capital, checked vehicles, and urged residents to remain indoors following overnight unrest in which demonstrators set government buildings on fire.

Protesters held talks with military officials at army headquarters in Kathmandu, proposing former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead a transitional government. Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, served from 2016 to 2017 and remains a popular figure. However, some protesters outside the army complex opposed the choice.

The demonstrations, initially triggered by a short-lived government ban on social media platforms including Facebook, X, and YouTube, escalated after police opened fire on Monday, killing 19 protesters. The unrest intensified on Tuesday with attacks on the parliament, presidential house, central secretariat, and prime minister’s residence. The building of Kantipur, Nepal’s largest media outlet, was also set ablaze, along with several car showrooms.

The unrest led Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign Tuesday, though he fled his official residence, leaving his whereabouts unclear. President Ram Chandra Poudel asked him to lead a transitional government temporarily.

The protests reflect broader youth frustration over unemployment, social inequality, and the so-called “nepo kids” of political leaders enjoying privileges while many young Nepalese seek work abroad. Soldiers also quelled a jailbreak in central Kathmandu on Wednesday, preventing inmates from escaping after setting fires inside the main prison.

The government has defended the social media regulations as measures to ensure platforms are accountable, though critics say the rules curb free expression and target government opponents. - UNB