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

Kathmandu airport reopens after two-day closure

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has officially resumed operations after a two-day closure prompted by escalating unrest in Kathmandu Valley.  The airport had suspended all domestic and international flights on September 9, following significant security concerns tied to violent protests led by Gen Z demonstrators.

On Wednesday, the TIA Civil Aviation Office issued a public notice confirming the airport's reopening. The decision came after a meeting of the airport's security committee, which evaluated the situation and deemed it safe to allow flights to operate once more.

"We hereby inform that the flights suspended due to adverse circumstances would now be lifted, which has been made in accordance with the decision of the Tribhuvan International Airport Security Committee meeting held today. Passengers travelling to the airport for flights are requested to contact their respective airline companies for flight information and to bring official airline tickets and identification documents with them when travelling," stated a notice issued by the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority.

The unrest was characterised by incidents of arson and vandalism in various locations, including Gothatar, which raised serious concerns about aviation security. In response, the Nepali Army was deployed to enhance security at the airport and surrounding areas during the closure.

Prisoners escape after setting Nepal jail on fire

 Several prisoners have escaped from the Rajbiraj prison in Saptari, Nepal, after setting the jail partially on fire on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a report in The Kathmandu Post, the fire started after the prisoners from Block B resorted to arson and launched an attack. Even though security personnel at the jail lobbed multiple tear gas shells to bring the situation under control, some of the inmates managed to flee. At the time of the incident, there were 307 inmates in the jail.

While a fire engine rushed to the spot, the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been deployed to locate the fugitives and boost security arrangements.

UN chief Guterres urges restraint, dialogue in Nepal

UN António Guterres has expressed concern over the situation in Nepal and has called for a restrained and thorough investigation to ensure further violence.

“I'm closely following the situation in Nepal & I'm deeply saddened by the loss of life. I urge a thorough investigation, restraint to avoid further escalation of violence & dialogue towards forging a constructive path forward. I call on the authorities to comply with human rights law. Protests must take place in a peaceful manner, respecting life & property,” said Guterres.

China urges citizens in Nepal to be cautious

China has urged its citizens in Nepal to be cautious and “pay close attention to safety” amid violent protests that rocked the country and led to attacks on several government and private buildings.

“It is hoped that all sectors of Nepal can properly handle domestic issues and quickly restore social order and national stability. China has already reminded its citizens in Nepal to pay close attention to safety,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said as quoted by AFP.

Air India cancels flights to Kathmandu on September 10

In view of the Kathmandu Airport remaining closed due to the violent Gen Z protests in Nepal, Air India on Wednesday announced that its flights to and from Kathmandu on 10 September have been cancelled. The airline further stated that they are closely monitoring the situation.

"Air India flights to and from Kathmandu on 10 September have been cancelled as the airport continues to remain closed. We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates,” stated Air India.

Mamata Banerjee assures rescue of Bengal tourists in Nepal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that she was considering the issue of tourists from the state stranded in Nepal following the protests very seriously, adding that they would be brought back soon. The Chief Minister also urged the tourists to wait for some time till the situation becomes normal.

"I take the issue regarding the tourists stuck in Nepal seriously. I want to tell them to wait for a while till the situation becomes normal. We are monitoring the situation closely and will bring all of you back soon,” said Mamata as quoted by ANI.

Watch: Kathmandu Hilton charred after protest violence

The Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu is all charred after being set ablaze by Gen Z protesters during the violent protest that led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Several other government and private buildings including OLi's persinal resudence were attavked abd set on fure by the protesters.

187 Telugu people stranded in Nepal after protests: Andhra CMO

The Andhra Pradesh CMO has said that 187 Telugu people are stranded in different places across Nepal in the wake of the protests in the country. The CMO further stated that . Andhra Pradesh RTG (Real Time Governance) Minister Nara Lokesh is personally overseeing the rescue and safety measures.

“He will be proceeding to the state RTG center in Amaravati where he will personally monitor the position. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has alerted Naveen Srivastava, Indian Ambassador to Nepal regarding the situation. The embassy is being kept informed to ensure early evacuation and safety arrangements for the stranded citizens,” stated the CMO.

‘Nothing Left’: Nepal Parliament severely damaged during Gen Z protest

A day after Gen Z protesters set fire to the Nepal Parliament during nationwide protests in the country, a Parliament official said that nothing of the building’s infrastructure is left.

"I have been informed by the (parliament) security chief that the fire has destroyed the entire infrastructure. Nothing is left," Ekram Giri, spokesperson for the lower house of parliament, told Reuters.

Several other government and commercial buildings, including the Supreme Court, ministers’ homes, and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s personal residence, were set ablaze by the agitators.

Nepali Army arrests four for looting at supermarket

The Nepal Army has intensified its crackdown on those resorting to looting and arson in the country. According to a report in The Kathmandu Post, four people involved in looting at the Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Maharajgunj were arrested on Wednesday morning.

The report further stated that suspicious individuals in Dillibazar and Narayanthan area fled after seeing the security forces, leaving behind Rs 232,500 and $2,500 and a looted weapon. With the latest recovery, the total number of looted weapons seized in the wake of the protest has reached 32.

The Nepal Army has also taken 26 inmates who escaped from the district prison in Dadeldhura into custody and prevented other inmates from attempting to escape from the Central Prison in Dillibazar, Kathmandu.