Protests against corruption and political infighting in Nepal turn violent. Parliament building burned, leaders' homes attacked, and 19 people killed. Prime Minister resigns but situation remains out of control, army has to be deployed.
Nepal Protests: Nepal is currently going through a severe political and social crisis. The protest, which began with youth leadership, has now escalated into violent rebellion. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that the parliament building and government offices were attacked, leaders' homes were set ablaze, and many lives were lost. Even after the Prime Minister's resignation, peace could not be restored. Finally, the army had to take command.
Youth Anger Turns into Violence
Youth in Nepal have been protesting on the streets for a long time against rampant corruption and political infighting. This protest gradually became so fierce that on Tuesday, a mob set fire to the parliament building. Government offices and leaders' homes were also attacked. The anger of the protestors even reached the gates of the famous Pashupatinath Temple. Seeing the situation spiral out of control, the army had to be deployed.
Social Media Ban and Deaths Fuel the Fire
Social media was initially banned, but it was later lifted. However, during this period, 19 people died in police firing. The death of such a large number of young people further fueled the anger. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned, but the unrest did not subside even after that. Thousands of people are still gathered on the streets, and the fire of protest is spreading.
Attacks on Former Leaders
The severity of the situation can be understood from the fact that former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was also attacked. Furthermore, the wife of former PM Jhala Nath Khanal, Rajlakshmi Chitrakar, was attacked by a mob on the street and burned alive. This incident created an atmosphere of terror across Nepal.
Army's Appeal
Seeing the situation out of control, the Nepali army took control of several key locations from Tuesday night. The army secured areas such as Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and the Singh Durbar government complex. Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel issued a video message appealing to the public for peace. He stated that violence would benefit no one and that dialogue is the only way to navigate the country through this difficult time. He also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
President's Appeal
President Ram Chandra Paudel also appealed to the public to exercise restraint and find a solution through dialogue. However, despite the appeals from the army and the president, the situation has not normalized. Thousands of people are still on the streets, and attacks on government property continue in many places.
Ministers' Security
Amidst the escalating violence, several ministers and prominent leaders were moved to safe locations using army helicopters. Despite this, the situation remains extremely precarious. The army issued a statement saying that some groups are exploiting the situation for looting and arson. It warned that strict action would be taken if such activities do not stop.
Heightened Vigilance on India Border
The impact of the violence in Nepal has also been felt in India. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an increase in security along the Nepal border. The SSB and police in border districts like Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar have been put on high alert. Special arrangements have also been made to prevent rumors and inflammatory content on social media.
Indian Citizens Stranded in Kathmandu
Flights have been canceled due to the deteriorating situation in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. Thirty-nine individuals from Karnataka are stranded here. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the central government and airlines to take immediate steps for their safe return.
Air India and IndiGo Cancel Flights
Given the chaotic atmosphere, Air India and IndiGo have canceled flights on the Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi route. Air India issued a statement saying that flights AI2231/2232, AI2219/2220, AI217/218, and AI211/212 have been canceled due to the current situation. IndiGo also stated that they are monitoring the situation and are trying to resume flights soon in coordination with local authorities.
Modi's Message
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the violence in Nepal. He wrote in Nepali on X (formerly Twitter) that the death of 19 youths is heartbreaking. He emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Nepal and appealed to everyone to maintain peace.
Russia Expresses Concern
Russia has also expressed concern over the violent situation in Nepal. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the protests in Nepal have escalated into riots and that they are closely monitoring the situation. Russia has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Nepal. However, there has been no information about any Russian citizens being harmed so far.
Looting Under the Guise of Protest
The army issued a statement saying that several groups are taking advantage of the current crisis to engage in looting and arson. The army has clearly stated that it will not hesitate to take stern action if such incidents continue.
