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

Majority of Gen Z protesters discharged from Trauma Centre

The National Trauma Centre in Nepal has discharged most of the Gen-Z protestors injured on Monday after their conditions improved, though two remain in critical condition under intensive care, reported The Kathmandu Post. 

“Altogether, we have 51 injured patients in our hospital at present,” said Dr. Badri Rijal, director at the centre, as quoted in the report. “Eight have been receiving intensive care, and the health conditions of two are critical.”

Hundreds were hurt when protesters breached the security zone at the Parliament building in New Baneshwar. Over two dozen succumbed to their injuries across Kathmandu and other regions, and eight died during treatment at the centre on the same day. “No additional deaths among the injured have taken place after that,” Rijal noted.

In total, 161 injured individuals were brought to the hospital for treatment, reflecting the severity of the unrest and the significant medical response required to care for those affected.

Five escaped Nepali inmates arrested at India border

Five inmates who have escaped from a jail in Nepal were apprehended by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) while trying to cross into India. According to an ANI report, the SSB arrested the inmates made along the India-Nepal border in Siddharthnagar area and subsequently handed them over to the police for further investigation, officials said.

Prisoners attempt to escape, set fires in Dillibazar jail

Prisoners have tried to escape from the Dillibazar jail in Dillibazar of Kathmandu. They have set fires in several places in the compound, reported The Kathmandu Post. The report further stated that a section of the inmates have taken to the streets raising slogans. The Nepal Army has cordoned off the area to prevent further escalation. 

Watch: Kathmandu Hilton hotel set ablaze in violent protests

The Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu suffered extensive damage after it was set ablaze during the violent Gen Z protest. Several other buildings, including the country’s Parliament and residences of incumbent and former ministers, were also attacked by the protesters.

Nepali Army arrests 27 for arson, loot

The Nepali Army on Wednesday announced that 27 people were arrested between 10 PM on Tuesday and 10 AM Wednesday for resorting to loot, arson and other destructive activities across the country, including Kathmandu, reported The Himalayan.

The report further stated that in the Gausala–Chabahil–Bouddha area of Kathmandu, looted cash amounting to Rs 3.37 million was recovered. It stated that 31 firearms of various types and ammunition were also recoveredin  different parts of Kathmandu (23) and Pokhara (8).

Nepali Army guards presidential palace after Gen Z protests

Nepali Army troops are guarding the ‘Sital Niwas', the Nepali Rashtrapati Bhawan in Kathmandu that was vandalised by the Gen Z protesters who had also set the Nepali Parliament on fire during the protest that led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. 

Kannadigas in Nepal are safe, says Karnataka CMO

The Karnataka Chief Minister's office, in a statement on Wednesday, said that "Kannadigas stranded in Nepal are safe" and emphasised that both the Chief Secretary and the Resident Commissioner of Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi maintain regular contact with Karnataka citizens in various teams throughout Nepal.

Following Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's direct instructions, state government officials have established communication with the External Affairs Ministry to coordinate safe repatriation efforts. According to the statement, comprehensive steps are being implemented to ensure the secure return of all Karnataka residents currently in Nepal.

Nepal Gen Z movement demands major political reforms

The organisers of the Gen Z movement in Nepal have demanded major political reforms in the country, stating that their agitation is for the country’s future and not tied with any party or individual, reported India Today.

The report further stated that “martyr” status for protesters who lost their lives during the agitation should be awarded by the government. The protesters also demanded special programmes to address the issues of poverty and unemploymen,t adding that this can be achieved only through a new political system

Nepali Army asks stranded foreign nationals to contact security officials

The Nepali Army on Wednesday asked foreign nationals stranded in the country or awaiting assistance due to the agitation in the country to get in touch with the nearby security authorities or personnel, reported The Kathmandu Post.

“Hotels, tourism operators, and other organisations hosting foreign nationals are also requested to coordinate and facilitate any rescue or support efforts as needed,” stated the report.

Ex-Indian envoys caution Delhi to monitor Nepal situation

With Nepal still reeling under the impact of the violent Gen Z agitation that led to the resignation of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, various former Indian ambassadors warned the Indian government that they should monitor the situation in the neighbouring country "very closely," adding that Nepal being in “turmoil” was not a healthy sign.

Veteran diplomat Venu Rajamony said what is happening in Nepal is "not just shocking, but also worrying".

"It comes on the trail of what happened in Sri Lanka and in Bangladesh. So, in that sense, there has been a series of incidents of instability in countries in the neighbourhood, which have led to the collapse of regimes and their leaders fleeing, etc. It is clearly not a healthy sign," he told PTI. Rajamony, served as India's ambassador to the Netherlands from 2017 to 2020.

Ashok Kantha, who has served in Nepal as a deputy chief of mission in Kathmandu from 1997 to 2000, also called for a 'wait and watch' approach for now.

"My own experience has been that we should let the domestic process play out. I don't think, at this point in time, we can really have a role, and our intervention will become a counterproductive act. So we have to first see, assess the situation," he said.