KATHMANDU, Sept 10 — Soldiers patrolled the streets of Nepal’s capital on Tuesday as authorities enforced an indefinite curfew following two days of violent anti-corruption protests that led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
The turmoil, described as the country’s worst in decades, was triggered by a controversial social media ban introduced last week. The measure was scrapped after 19 people were killed on Sept 8 when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators.
Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said the security forces’ priority was to restore calm. “We are trying to normalise the situation first. We are committed to protect the life and property of people,” he told reporters.
Although the capital remained quiet on Tuesday, local media reported that around 25 people attempting to “create trouble” on the outskirts of Kathmandu were detained. Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
During the height of the unrest on Sept 9, protesters set fire to several government buildings including the Supreme Court, Parliament, ministers’ homes, and Oli’s private residence. The violence only subsided after the prime minister stepped down.
“There are no protesters here. Only a few people are walking in the street. It is peaceful here,” said Ram Kumar Shrestha, a resident of Maharajgunj.
The majority of demonstrators were young Nepalis angered by widespread corruption and the government’s failure to deliver jobs. Chronic unemployment has long driven millions abroad to work on construction sites in Malaysia, the Middle East, and South Korea, sending remittances back home to sustain families.
