In a statement, the military urged the protesters not to resort to the violence and encouraged them to engage in dialogue to restore stability.
Violence gripped the Himalayan nation of Nepal for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as Gen Z protesters went on a rampage in the national capital Kathmandu and several other cities, torching public property, including the Parliament building and residences of the President, the Prime Minister, and several ministers, while looting banks and pelting stones at security forces.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and several of his cabinet ministers resigned after the Gen Z protest that began over alleged corruption and social media ban turned violent on Monday following the death of 19 protesters in police firing.
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An angry mob entered the house of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and set it on fire, resulting in the death of his wife Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar. Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was thrashed by the violent protesters.
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As the protesters were threatening to reach Prime Minister Oli’s official residence in Baluwatar, he was shifted to an undisclosed location. He also tendered his resignation from the post of the Prime Minister, prompting the Nepal Army to assume control of the security operations.
In a statement, the military urged the protesters not to resort to the violence and encouraged them to engage in dialogue to restore stability.
The Nepal Army also stated that “some groups are taking undue advantage of the difficult situation and causing severe damage to ordinary citizens and public property.”
It further warned that security forces would be mobilised across the country if violence continued.
The Army also pledged “to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty, and citizens’ lives and property.”
PM chairs Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to discuss Nepal crisis
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to discuss the developments in Nepal.
In a social media post on X, Modi said that the violence is heart-rending and that he is anguished that many young people have lost their lives.
He also urged people of Nepal to support peace. “The violence in Nepal is heart-rending. I am anguished that many young people have lost their lives. The stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us. I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace,” he said.
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