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ConflictsNepal

Deadly protests rock Nepal

Midhat Fatimah with AP, Reuters
September 10, 2025

The Nepali army has announced an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu as it tries to bring normalcy to the city after violent protests against corruption.

https://p.dw.com/p/50G4X
Three protesters stand on top of Nepal's parliament building, which was attacked by protesters
Nepal's parliament building was stormed and set on fire by protestersImage: Niranjan Shrestha/AP Photo/picture alliance

Nepali army men guarded the parliament and the streets in Kathmandu on Wednesday, after a youth-led protest led to Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's resignation.

The army has jumped into action after police failed to control the protests that turned violent.At least 19 people died as the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.

What is the situation in Kathmandu?

The army ordered people to stay indoors as it announced an indefinite curfew in an attempt to restore order.

Protests triggered by a social media ban , which grew to a wider dissent against corruption, had attracted tens of thousands of people.

Protesters stormed and set fire to government buildings and attacked politicians. Army helicopters ferried some ministers to safety. 

Protesters celebrate at the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal's government's various ministries and offices, after it was set on fire during a protest against a social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025
Smouldering plumes of smoke rose from the government buildings, residences of politicians, supermarkets and other buildings targeted by protestersImage: Niranjan Shrestha/AP Photo/picture alliance

On Wednesday, with armed soldiers guarding key areas in Kathmandu, some sense of normalcy seemed to be returning to the capital that saw violence and chaos in the previous days.

Late Tuesday, the army had warned that it was committed to preserving law and order. An army statement said 27 suspected looters have been arrested.

"We are trying to normalize the situation first," army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said. "We are committed to protect the life and property of people."

Edited by: Farah Bahgat