Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid Nepal's worst unrest in decades, as public anger mounts over the deaths of 19 anti-corruption protesters in clashes with police on Monday. On Tuesday, crowds set fire to parliament in the capital Kathmandu, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Government buildings and the houses of political leaders were attacked around the country.
Three more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Amid the chaos, jail officials said 900 inmates managed to escape from two prisons in Nepal's western districts. The demonstrations were triggered by a ban on social media platforms, which was lifted on Monday - but by then, protests had swelled into a mass movement.
Nepal's army chief issued a statement late on Tuesday accusing demonstrators of taking advantage of the current crisis by damaging and looting public and private property. He stated that if unrest continued, all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation, although specifics were not provided.
While the Prime Minister has stepped down, clarity on his successor remains uncertain, with some leaders reportedly taking refuge with security forces. Protesters have not clearly defined their demands outside of their anti-corruption rallying cry. Inside parliament, jubilant scenes erupted as hundreds of protesters celebrated, many waving the Nepalese flag. This discontent has grown particularly among youth, many of whom are frustrated with long-standing corruption issues.
The protests intensified after a controversial government order that led to a blockade of 26 social media platforms, which was criticized as a restriction on free speech. Though the ban was hastily lifted, it was too late to quell the momentum of the protests, which evolved into a large-scale movement targeting the political elite.
Last week, the government had instructed authorities to block social media platforms for not complying with a deadline to register, an action that sparked anger and discontent among millions of users reliant on these platforms. The current riots are viewed by many as a pivotal moment for change in Nepal’s political landscape, as citizens seek a path towards greater accountability and justice.
Three more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Amid the chaos, jail officials said 900 inmates managed to escape from two prisons in Nepal's western districts. The demonstrations were triggered by a ban on social media platforms, which was lifted on Monday - but by then, protests had swelled into a mass movement.
Nepal's army chief issued a statement late on Tuesday accusing demonstrators of taking advantage of the current crisis by damaging and looting public and private property. He stated that if unrest continued, all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation, although specifics were not provided.
While the Prime Minister has stepped down, clarity on his successor remains uncertain, with some leaders reportedly taking refuge with security forces. Protesters have not clearly defined their demands outside of their anti-corruption rallying cry. Inside parliament, jubilant scenes erupted as hundreds of protesters celebrated, many waving the Nepalese flag. This discontent has grown particularly among youth, many of whom are frustrated with long-standing corruption issues.
The protests intensified after a controversial government order that led to a blockade of 26 social media platforms, which was criticized as a restriction on free speech. Though the ban was hastily lifted, it was too late to quell the momentum of the protests, which evolved into a large-scale movement targeting the political elite.
Last week, the government had instructed authorities to block social media platforms for not complying with a deadline to register, an action that sparked anger and discontent among millions of users reliant on these platforms. The current riots are viewed by many as a pivotal moment for change in Nepal’s political landscape, as citizens seek a path towards greater accountability and justice.
