Nepal: Kathmandu airport opens; protestors want Sushila Karki as PM

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Gen Z's toast Balen has a Karnataka connection

Sushila Karki as interim PM?

Nepal’s political turmoil has thrown an unlikely figure into the spotlight: Sushila Karki, the country’s first female Chief Justice.

Protestors and students have reportedly proposed Sushila Karki, 73, as the interim prime minister. In a meeting, the youth organisers agreed that no one affiliated with political parties should lead the movement, while picking Karki for her neutrality and credibility.

The plan, reports say, is to present this proposal to the army formally.

Karki is known for judicial independence and zero tolerance for corruption. Controversies also marked her tenure. In 2017, political parties moved to impeach her, an effort that collapsed under public outrage and a Supreme Court ruling. She could complete her term, though.  

112 Maharashtra tourists stranded in Kathmandu, Pokhara, seek evacuation

As many as 112 tourists from Murbad taluka in Thane district find themselves stranded in the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara. The situation has drawn attention from local authorities, prompting appeals for safe evacuation.

Murbad MLA Kisan Kathore reported that 47 of the tourists are currently sheltering in a hotel in Kathmandu, the epicentre of recent violent riots. The remaining 65 are taking refuge in a hotel in Pokhara. In light of the unrest, the group has reached out to the Maharashtra government for assistance in ensuring their safe return to India.

"We have communicated with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Thane district collector regarding the safe return of these 112 tourists," Kathore stated on Wednesday. The MLA added that the stranded tourists conveyed their distress during a video call, describing the alarming conditions and expressing their desire to return home as swiftly as possible.

Nepal has been engulfed in a political crisis following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid widespread protests. 

Watch: SSB and Nepal's Armed Police Force conduct joint patrolling along India-Nepal border

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) of India and Nepal's Armed Police Force (APF) conducted joint patrols along the India-Nepal border fields, addressing security concerns in the region. The joint operation took place in Panitanki, located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

Nepali Army asks public to surrender looted weapons

The Nepali Army has called on individuals to surrender any weapons, ammunition, or security equipment that may have been looted or discarded during the recent Gen Z protests, reported The Himalayan.

The announcement, made public through the Army's Public Relations and Information Directorate, is intended to address the precarious security situation in the aftermath of violent demonstrations that occurred earlier this week.

The Army's notice requested that anyone in possession of such items immediately return them to the nearest security agency or personnel.

The Army urged citizens to provide information regarding any misuse of these weapons, highlighting the community's role in ensuring public safety during this sensitive time. Those aware of such weapons are encouraged to facilitate their surrender without delay, stated the Army.

The Army warned of severe legal repercussions that may follow for individuals found in possession of unauthorized weapons adding that violators could face legal action under existing laws.

CM Rekha Gupta coordinates to bring back Delhi residents from Nepal

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of Delhi announced on Wednesday that her administration is actively coordinating with the embassies of Nepal and India to secure the safe return of Delhi residents currently stranded in Nepal amid escalating violence.

In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gupta revealed that she held a detailed telephonic conversation with Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar Sharma, and India's Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava. "Our government is in constant contact with both embassies and relevant agencies to ensure the safety, assistance, and earliest possible return of Delhi residents stranded in Nepal," she stated.

The unrest in Nepal has intensified following violent protests that initiated against a government ban on social media. Over the past two days, the protests have escalated dramatically, leading to the deaths of at least 21 people.

Delhi's Nepalese community worried as protests escalate in Nepal

As violent protests continue to escalate in Nepal, many Nepalese nationals residing in Delhi are anxiously monitoring the situation, fearing for the safety of their families back home.

Udita Khanal, who owns the Nepali Khana restaurant in Khirki Extension, expressed her distress over the unrest that has particularly affected Kathmandu. “My mother is here with me, but my brothers and sisters are back home in Kathmandu, which is the most affected. We are worried about their safety,” she said, noting that poor telecommunications have made it difficult to stay in touch with her family.

Khanal shared that while she has attempted to connect with her relatives through platforms like Messenger and WhatsApp, the weak signal has impeded their communication. “We tried to reach out on Messenger and WhatsApp, but the signal is weak. We try to reach them out on Viber. They were saying that riots were happening yesterday. People cannot even step out for daily essentials," she added. Khanal urged others to pray for her "beloved country."

According to a PTI report, some of the restaurant's staff members, who are also from Nepal, have families in rural areas where the situation remains stable. However, they too are expressing worry for their relatives. “Still, they are worried about their families back home. The situation in villages is peaceful but still there is fear,” Khanal noted.

Deb Chhetri, a long-time resident of Delhi originally from Nepal, echoed similar concerns for his two daughters, who remain in Kathmandu. Chhetri, who operates a café in Majnu ka Tila, stated, “I am worried about how my daughters are managing themselves there. My wife also stays here with me, so no one is there to look after them.”

Earlier today, Chhetri managed to speak with one of his daughters, who revealed that they had participated in the protests. “I am really concerned about them. I have been praying for their safety, thinking about how they must be coping with the chaos. It is hard to stay calm here, but I cannot do anything,” he lamented.

DTC suspends Delhi-Kathmandu bus service amid Nepal unrest

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has announced the suspension of the popular Delhi-Kathmandu international bus service, known as the Maitri Bus Sewa, due to escalating political unrest in Nepal. The decision to halt operations was made in light of the ongoing student-led protests against the government of K P Sharma Oli, which have rapidly expanded to a broader critique of corruption and negligence by the political elite.

Officials confirmed the suspension on Wednesday, stating that the service would remain on hold until the situation in Nepal stabilises. “This service symbolises the strong ties between India and Nepal and remains a popular choice for travellers. We are suspending it as of now and will resume it once the situation normalises,” said a DTC official as quoted by PTI.

The Maitri Bus Sewa, which covers a distance of 1,167 kilometres, charges a fare of Rs 2,800 and typically operates six days a week. DTC buses run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while buses from Nepal’s Manjushree Yatayat operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, using Marco Polo vehicles. DTC utilises Volvo buses for the route.

Passengers who had made bookings for the service are assured of refunds, as confirmed by another official.

The unrest in Nepal intensified following a government ban on social media, which has since been lifted. Massive protests erupted, leading to violent clashes. Protesters targeted government buildings and set fire to the parliament and homes of prominent political figures, resulting in at least 19 fatalities due to the violence.

All Maharashtra tourists in Nepal are safe, says Ajit Pawar

The Maharashtra government is actively working to ensure the safe return of its residents stranded in Nepal amid recent violent protests, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Ministry of External Affairs are coordinating with state officials to provide assistance to the approximately 100 tourists affected by the unrest.

“Our top priority is to facilitate the safe return of every tourist from Maharashtra and to reassure their families. There is no reason for anyone to panic,” Pawar said.

According to a PTI report, around 100 tourists from Thane, Pune, Mumbai, Latur and Kolhapur districts are currently stranded in Nepal. Meanwhile, a group from Beed district has managed to leave Nepal by road, successfully reaching Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The largest contingent of stranded tourists comes from Murbad in Thane district. Pawar emphasized that all tourists in Nepal are safe and are being directly contacted by state officials to ensure they receive the necessary support.

The situation in Nepal escalated after violent anti-government demonstrations erupted in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities this past week. The unrest culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Tuesday.