PM KP Sharma Oli’s Home Set Ablaze As Gen Z Protests Spiral Into Deadly Nationwide Crisis
New Delhi : Protesters in Nepal on Tuesday set fire to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s private residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur, as anger swelled despite the government’s removal of a ban on social media platforms. Allegations of rampant corruption have brought the country’s youth onto the streets across several districts.
Tribhuvan International Airport has been shut down and all flights are cancelled amid escalating unrest across the country. Ministers are being evacuated from their official residences by army helicopters. At least five helicopters have been deployed to transport key government figures safely to the airport.
Evacuation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from his official residence is also reportedly being planned as the situation intensifies. Over 300 military personnel have been deployed at Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal Army helicopters are actively shuttling in and out of the area. Nepal’s Gen-Z protesters escalated their agitation by storming the Communist Party headquarters and pulling down the hammer-and-sickle emblem. The youth-led movement is intensifying with the goal of toppling the communist regime.
Protesters continue to target the homes and offices of senior political leaders. Residences of several leaders, including the private residences of the Nepal’s President and Prime Minister, have been attacked, vandalised, and set on fire. Shekhar Koirala of the Nepali Congress has called on ministers from his faction to resign from the Oli-led government. The Gagan Thapa faction is still deliberating on its next move. Protestors have been mobilising through Discord app to coordinate actions. Shared messages reportedly include instructions on mobilising toward the airport, making Molotov cocktails, using acetylene gas to disable airplane tyres, and targeting police stations for ammunition.
As unrest continues to escalate, 21 Members of Parliament from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party have decided to resign en masse. It was these MP’s first win in Parliament under the leadership of Ravi Lamichhane. The party has supported the ongoing protest movement from the start and is now calling for the dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections. Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav has resigned from his ministerial post today. Minister Yadav resigned, stating that he was not fit to serve in the government following the incident in which 19 people lost their lives during the Gen Z protest on Monday.
“I announce my resignation from the post of Minister of Water Supply Ministry in support of the movement launched by the Genji youth generation yesterday and in protest against the repression by the government and administration. Dear young brothers and sisters, you are my first ally and the source of my passion and energy. I appeal to all of us to show restraint and support the young generation in the right direction.” Minister Yadav informed, according to Annapurna Post report.
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