Nepal's army has deployed patrols on the streets of Kathmandu, as the Himalayan nation reels from its worst unrest in decades.
Fierce protests against corruption and nepotism spiraled further on Tuesday into arson and violence. The prime minister resigned as politicians' homes were vandalised, government buildings were set ablaze, and parliament was stormed and torched.
However, the Gen Z groups spearheading the protests have distanced themselves from the destruction, asserting that the movement has been hijacked by opportunist infiltrators. On Wednesday, the streets of the capital Kathmandu appeared calm, but smoke was still rising from burning buildings, and charred vehicles lay abandoned on the roads.
Nationwide curfews are in place until Thursday morning, with the army warning of punishment for anyone involved in violence and vandalism. So far, twenty-seven arrests have been made in connection with the chaos, and 31 firearms have been recovered.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's resignation has created a leadership vacuum, intensifying the military's efforts to control the volatile situation. His government's failed attempt to ban social media was the initial catalyst for the protests, leading to the deaths of at least 20 individuals during clashes with police.
Many protesters worry that their movement’s message has been diluted amid the carnage. A statement from Tuesday emphasized that the protests, organized by Nepal's Generation Z, were intended to advocate for accountability and transparency, not violence.
The protests were ostensibly triggered by the government's decision last week to ban 26 social media platforms, including popular services such as WhatsApp and Instagram. This ban fueled discontent that had been building due to a widespread campaign highlighting allegations of corruption among the political elite.
On Tuesday, protests continued across the country, leading to further destruction. Protesters staged an assault on the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and set fire to the residence of its leader, Sher Bahadur Deuba. Supporters of the movement burnt the parliament building and defaced government properties with anti-corruption slogans.
Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister Oli resigned in hopes of paving the way for a political solution, but the path forward remains unclear, leaving the nation in a state of uncertainty.
