Armed soldiers were stationed outside the Nepalese parliament today, as the capital Kathmandu remained largely deserted due to an indefinite curfew imposed following two days of protests against corruption, which resulted in several fatalities and the resignation of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli.
The unrest, described as the most severe in Nepal in decades, erupted following a ban on social media implemented last week. The authorities lifted the ban after 19 individuals were killed on Monday when police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
Burnt vehicles and twisted metal were scattered around the parliament area, while army firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze within the main hall, which was set ablaze by furious protesters on Tuesday.
Army spokesperson Raja Ram Paswan stated, “Our priority is to restore order… We are committed to ensuring the safety of people and their property.”
Armored vehicles remained stationed on the empty streets, with only a few pedestrians visible as shops and markets closed their doors.
Several government buildings, including the Supreme Court, along with residences of ministers and the official residence of the Prime Minister, were set on fire during the protests on Tuesday. The unrest subsided only after the announcement of the Prime Minister’s resignation.
A spokesperson for Kathmandu’s airport reported disruptions to flights, as the main airport in the capital was closed until 6 PM (1215 GMT).