Nepal protests: Ex-PM's wife dies after house set on fire; prisoners freed
Top brass of army and other security agencies issue joint appeal calling for restraint and resolution through dialogue as Nepal plunges into deep political crisis
Nepal plunged into a serious political crisis on Tuesday (September 9) as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in the face of massive anti-government protests, with the demonstrators attacking private residences of several high-profile leaders, headquarters of political parties, and going on to vandalise the parliament, a day after 19 people died in police action against the agitators.
The students-led protests appeared to reflect the growing public anger with the Oli dispensation over a range of issues, including a ban on social media and inaction against alleged corruption, as the protesters, defying curfews and heavy deployment of security forces, resorted to arson and stormed various key buildings and establishments.
Hours before Oli’s resignation, the protesters set on fire the Nepalese leader’s private house in Balkot, and attacked properties of President Ramchandra Paudel, former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Another former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal’s house was also torched, which claimed the life of his wife Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar. Protesters also torched the residence of former home minister Ramesh Lekhak at Naikap in Kathmandu, just a day after he resigned from his post, according to officials.
Flight services at Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu have been partially suspended in view of the protests. Later, some protesters started a fire at the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. A prison was reportedly stormed by protesters in Dhangadhi, following which hundreds of inmates and convicts escaped. The offices of several media houses were also set on fire.
With the situation deteriorating rapidly, the top brass of Nepali Army and other security agencies issued a joint appeal calling for restraint and resolution of the crisis through dialogue.
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- 9 Sept 2025 1:24 PM IST
Slogans against PM, stone pelting continue
The protesters shouted slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (K P Sharma Oli is a thief, quit the country), “Take action against corrupt leaders”.
According to a PTI report, eyewitnesses said that the agitating youths also pelted stones at the residence of Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung in Sunakothi at Lalitpur district. It was Gurung who had ordered the now lifted ban on social media in Nepal.
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.
Govt responds with curfews
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.
Violent protests by youths against a government ban on social media sites rocked Nepal on Monday, with police's use of force leaving at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured.
The Nepali Army was deployed in the capital after the situation deteriorated. The army personnel took control of the roads surrounding the parliament complex in New Baneshwor.
