THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kathmandu, Sept 9: Violent anti-government protests, led largely by students under the banner of Gen Z, continued across Nepal on Tuesday, defying restrictions on public gatherings.
Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and targeted the residences of several political figures, including Oli himself, former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung.
Aftermath of Monday’s Crackdown
The unrest follows Monday’s crackdown by police on protests against the government’s ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and X, which left 19 people dead and over 300 injured.
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The demonstrators accuse the government of attempting to suppress freedom of expression and have since amplified their campaign against corruption, leveraging social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram to expose the lavish lifestyles of ministers’ children and question the sources of their wealth.
Targeting Residences of Political Leaders
Protesters torched Prime Minister Oli’s residence at Balkot in Bhaktapur, while Oli himself remained at his official residence in Balwatar. They also vandalized the homes of Gurung, Lekhak, Dahal, and Deuba in multiple districts including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.
In Kalanki, demonstrators blocked roads by burning tires, while some threw stones at Gurung’s residence in Sunakothi. Police responded with firing, baton charges, and tear gas, injuring several protesters.
Protesters’ Demands
The protesters’ demands include the resignation of PM Oli, formation of a national government, strict action against corrupt politicians, guaranteed freedom of expression, and the introduction of a retirement age for political officeholders.
The government temporarily restored access to banned social media platforms late Monday, a move seen as an attempt to calm public anger.
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Political Repercussions
In a significant political development, three ministers resigned in protest against the government’s violent crackdown: Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari, Health and Population Minister Pradip Poudel, and Home Minister, who stepped down yesterday. Several other ministers, however, remain in Oli’s cabinet.
The protests have spread to multiple areas, including Kalanki, Kalimati, Tahachal, Baneshwor, Chyasal, Chapagau, and Thecho, with youths chanting slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (KP thief, leave the country) and “Don’t kill students,” highlighting widespread public anger over corruption and the suppression of free speech.
