On Wednesday, Nepalese soldiers patrolled the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, instructing citizens to stay indoors as they worked to restore order. This action followed a wave of protests where thousands of demonstrators stormed government buildings, set them on fire, and attacked politicians.
The military presence in key areas of Kathmandu seemed to signal a return to control in a city that has recently experienced widespread violence and chaos.
Troops informed residents about the curfew while inspecting vehicles and individuals.
Late Tuesday, the army stated that security forces were dedicated to maintaining law and order. It is uncommon for the military to be deployed in Nepal, and initially, they remained in barracks while the police struggled to manage the escalating situation.
A military statement indicated that 27 individuals suspected of looting had been apprehended.
The protests escalated into violence on Tuesday as demonstrators ignited fires in government buildings and the homes of politicians, along with physical confrontations with some officials. Criticism of the political elite in the country intensified, resulting in the resignation of the Prime Minister, although this had little impact on the ongoing protests.
On Monday, spontaneous youth-led demonstrations erupted following a ban on several social media platforms, and police opened fire on protesters, leading to 19 fatalities.
The ban was lifted on Tuesday; however, protests persisted, fueled by anger over police killings of demonstrators and growing resentment towards the political establishment.