Nepal Army protects the streets after protests intensify

Kathmandu, Nepal (AP) – Armed soldiers on Wednesday ordered people to stay home to protect the city of Nepal’s capital and later restore order Tens of thousands of protesters They attacked, set fire to government buildings and attacked politicians.

Soldiers with weapons defending major areas of Kathmandu appeared to give them a sense of control as they return to cities that have been overtaken by violence and chaos in the past.

The Army warned in an announcement late Tuesday that security forces are committed to maintaining law and order. The Army was rarely mobilized and remained in the barracks so far, but police were unable to control the situation.

Soldiers told people in Kathmandu that the curfew was in effect and that they checked the vehicles and people. The Army in the statement said 21 marauders had been arrested.

There was a protest It’s becoming more and more violent On Tuesday, demonstrators set fire to government buildings and politician homes, attacking several leaders. The prime minister resigned amid growing criticism of the country’s political elite, but it appears to have little effect on his anxiety.

Tens of thousands of protesters remained on the streets later that day, blocking roads and raiding government facilities. Army helicopters ferried some ministers to safe locations.

The anger over the ban on social media was just the beginning

Monday, a demonstration led by angry young people about blocking several social media sites I held the capitaland police fired fire at the crowd, killing 19 people.

The social media ban was lifted on Tuesday, The protest continuedsupported by the deaths and rage over the accusations of political corruption.

Head of State President Ram Chandra Puder urged protesters to pursue a peaceful resolution and stop further escalation. He accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli He appointed Oli and led the caretaker government until a new one was set up, but it was unclear what kind of power he would wield or where he was.

The demonstration, called the Gen Z protest, began after the government blocked social media platforms such as Facebook, X and YouTube. The company failed to register Submitted to government oversight.

But the protests swirl to reflect wider dissatisfaction. In particular, many young people are angry that children of political leaders (so-called NEPO children) appear to enjoy a gorgeous lifestyle and many benefits. The World Bank said that youth unemployment rates were operating at around 20% last year, so the government estimates that more than 2,000 young people will leave the country daily to seek jobs in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.

Political leaders, buildings and houses have been targeted

A video shared on social media showed Nepal’s parliamentary party leader Shah Bahadur Dova and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuva, defeated current Foreign Minister Alzu Rana Duva. Both appeared to be bleeding, but one video showed the party leader being safely rescued. The party is the largest of the country and is part of the governing coalition.

Smoke came out of the parliamentary buildings, the president’s house, the central secretariat with offices of the prime minister and major ministries, and the prime minister’s civil servants on Wednesday.

The Kantipur Publishing building, Nepal’s largest media outlet, was torched and damaged. The car showroom was also torched. Burnt out cars were dotted across the street.

Protesters attacked the government buildings and the homes of top political leaders on Tuesday, and police denounced the government for setting fires on protesters.

In addition to 19 deaths, many people were injured. The OLI ordered an investigation report on the shooting and has pledged compensation to the family.

The government is trying to regulate social media

The violence unfolded as Nepal government pursues a broader attempt to regulate social media with a bill aimed at ensuring that the platform is “goodly managed, responsible and accountable.” That’s the proposal It has been widely criticized as a censorship tool And to punish the government’s enemies who express their protests online.

The bill requires businesses to appoint national liaison offices or contact details. Rights groups call it an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression and fundamental rights.

The registration requirements were applied to around 20 social networks widely used in Nepal. Those that did not comply were blocked last week, but Tiktok, Vieber and three other registered platforms were operating uninterrupted.