Nepal’s President calls for dialogue as Gen Z protests leave 19 dead, Army takes control of key sites

Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel is expected to meet with representatives of the Gen Z protest on Wednesday in an effort to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue. The announcement comes as the country reels from two days of violent demonstrations that have left at least 19 people dead and over 500 injured.

President Paudel also called for peace, urging all sides to remain calm and resolve the crisis through negotiation. His statement came shortly after he accepted the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who stepped down amid mounting pressure from the public and political establishment.

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“In a democracy, the demands raised by citizens can be addressed through dialogue and negotiation,” Paudel said in an official statement, as reported by The Himalayan Times.

Protesters in Kathmandu set fire to the Parliament and Supreme Court buildings, police stations and politicians’ homes on Tuesday, as violent demonstrations continued despite the prime minister’s resignation and the reversal of a government social media ban that had sparked widespread anger.

There are reports that the Nepal Army has taken full control of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport and the Secretariat Building. The military deployment follows violent clashes in several cities and attacks on government institutions, including the Parliament building, which was set ablaze by demonstrators. Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was also reportedly targeted by mobs.

Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel issued a public address late Tuesday, calling on protesters to abandon violent methods and engage in peaceful dialogue. In a video statement, he acknowledged the scale of the unrest and expressed sorrow over the loss of life and damage to national infrastructure.

“During the protest, extensive damage has been incurred. To prevent further loss of property and to maintain peace, security, and harmony, national unity and harmony are our common duty,” said General Sigdel.

“Easing the incumbent uncomfortable situation, protecting national heritage, public and private property, citizens, and diplomatic missions is our shared responsibility,” Sigdel said. “To take the country out of this crisis through peaceful means, I urge the protesting groups to cancel further demonstrations and come to the table for talks.”

The Gen Z-led protests erupted on September 8, triggered by the government’s decision to ban 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Officials cited concerns over misinformation and tax compliance, but the move was widely seen as authoritarian and out of touch with public sentiment.

The protests escalated into a broader movement against corruption, lack of accountability, and entrenched political elites. Demonstrators, primarily students and young professionals, have called for systemic reforms and greater transparency in governance.

Power in Nepal has long rotated among a small group of leaders, including KP Sharma Oli, Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ and five-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. All three, along with other former prime ministers, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai, and Khil Raj Regmi,have been accused in various corruption scandals, fueling public frustration.

Earlier this year in March, protests also erupted demanding a return to the monarchy, with many citizens arguing that republican democracy has failed to deliver good governance.

Four cabinet ministers have stepped down and curfew in various districts are still in place across major cities.