Protesters have set fire to Nepal’s parliament building as anti-corruption protests escalate
The protesters are dancing and chanting around fires, as all the windows of the parliament have been smashed.
It comes after the country’s prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned
Young people took to the streets, fueled by anger over corruption and “nepo kids”.
In the absence of leadership, what will happen in Nepal is anyone’s guess; the priority now is to restore order.
The demonstrations were triggered by the government’s decision last week to ban 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, for failing to meet a deadline to register.
Critics accused the government of seeking to stifle an anti-corruption campaign with the ban, which was repealed on Monday night.
Protesters are also channeling a more deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the country’s authorities.
This protest is unlike any seen before in Nepal. The demonstrators identify as Gen Z, and the term has become a rallying symbol throughout the movement.
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Students from colleges and universities across Nepal’s major cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari have been invited to join.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Army is urging the country’s young people to demonstrate restraint and will deliver an address to the nation later tonight.
In an earlier statement, the Nepali Army said the institution is committed to safeguarding the interests of Nepal and the Nepali people.
The army said it is closely analysing the situation and has urged protesters not to continue their activities.
Earlier, President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed to the protestors, who are mostly Gen Z, to communicate and find a solution peacefully.
