Nepal Parliament set on fire; PM resigns as protests get out of control

Nepal plunged into turmoil on Tuesday as furious protesters set fire to the Parliament building in Kathmandu, forcing Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign.

The unrest, sparked by widespread dissatisfaction over government's ban on social media and allegations of corruption, quickly escalated into violent demonstrations across major cities.

Security forces struggled to contain the chaos as public outrage boiled over, marking one of the most serious crises in Nepal’s recent political history.

Oli stepped down shortly after hundreds of demonstrators entered his office shouting anti-government slogans, reported PTI.

Hours before his resignation, the demonstrators set on fire the Nepalese leader's private residence in Balkot demanding accountability for Monday's fatalities.

At least 19 people were killed and over 300 others injured during the violent protests on Monday against the government's ban on social media sites. Following the protests, the government revoked the ban last night.

Earlier in the day, two Nepali Congress ministers resigned from the government. Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and Health and Population Minister Pradip Poudel stepped down, citing the government's harsh response to student protests on Monday.

The protesters, under the banner of Gen Z, shouted slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (KP thief, leave the country) and “take action against corrupt leaders” in multiple parts of the capital.

Meanwhile, the demonstrators vandalised the private residence of President Ramchandra Paudel in Bohratar, Kathmandu, reportedly setting parts of the property on fire, reported ANI, citing The Himalayan Times.

They also torched the residence of former home minister Ramesh Lekhak at Naikap in Kathmandu, just a day after he resigned from his post following the police's use of force on youths.

The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has been fully closed following escalating demonstrations, the report said.

The protesters set ruling party offices, CM office and buildings in Janakpur on fire. They set fire to the house of Communication and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, in Sunakothi, Lalitpur, pelted stones at the residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, and Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Biswo Paudel, ANI reported citing The Kathmandu Post.

Earlier, Prime Minister Oli called an all-party meeting to discuss country's fast-deteriorating political situation amid intensifying student-led anti-government protests.

Oli issued a statement announcing the meeting for 6 pm, though the venue was not specified. He said dialogue was the way to resolve the crisis. “Violence is not the way. We need to find a peaceful way out through dialogue,” Oli had said.

The protests have escalated despite curfew orders in Kathmandu and other parts of the country.

Demonstrations were reported from Kalanki, Kalimati, Tahachal, and Baneshwor in Kathmandu, as well as Chyasal, Chapagau, and Thecho areas of Lalitpur district. Protesters, mostly students, chanted slogans such as “Don't kill students”, defying the restrictions on public gatherings.

In Kalanki, the protesters reportedly burnt tyres to block roads from the early hours of the morning. According to media reports, four people were injured as police opened fire at the demonstrators.

The protesters vandalised the residence of former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' at Khumaltar in Lalitpur. They also demonstrated in front of former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba's house at Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu.

Authorities have enforced curfews across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office announced a curfew from 8:30 am until further notice in the capital city.

Bhaktapur district administration also imposed restrictions from 8:30 am until further notice in Madhyapur Thimi, Suryabinayak, Changunarayan and Bhaktapur municipalities.

Lalitpur's curfew applies from 9 am to midnight in several areas, including Bhaisepati, Sanepa and Chyasal.

The Gen Z group, which has been campaigning against corruption for some time, has used social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram to expose the extravagant lifestyles of the children of ministers and other influential figures. They have posted videos and images, questioning the sources of wealth that fund such opulence, purportedly derived from corrupt practices.

The ban of social media sites, it said, was an attempt to suppress freedom of speech.

The Nepalese government had ordered the ban of 26 social media sites, including Facebook and ‘X', over their failure to register with the government.

However, in a late-night development on Monday, the government announced the restoration of access to social media platforms, in an apparent bid to ease public anger. — with Agencies