Kathmandu: The Nepalese Army has further extended a nationwide curfew until Friday in an effort to restore normalcy and mediate talks with protesters regarding the formation of a new government following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's resignation. First imposed on Tuesday night, the curfew has been extended without interruption, though the army has eased restrictions to facilitate movement for essential service workers.
According to Ghana News Agency, the army's statement issued late Wednesday indicated that domestic and international air travelers would also be permitted to move freely upon showing their tickets. In discussions mediated by the army, protesters, primarily from the younger generation, have proposed former chief justice Sushila Karki as the next prime minister, potentially making her the first woman to hold the post in Nepal. However, her nomination has not yet reached a consensus, and no clear process for selecting a new leader has been established.
Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, an independent politician popular among young protesters, has voiced support for Karki. Despite this, divisions within both the protest camp and mainstream parties leave Nepal's political future uncertain. KP Khanal, an activist at the forefront of the protest, expressed that many young demonstrators, who have not been invited to the talks, are cautiously observing developments. 'Nothing is looking clear. We were together during the peaceful protest, but the situation has changed after we dispersed,' he remarked.
Rakshya Bam, who participated in two rounds of talks organized by the army, shared on her Facebook page that she left the discussions after the army allowed space for supporters of former king Gyanendra Shah and members of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by opposition leader Rabi Lamichhane, who faces charges for embezzlement and was recently released from prison following mob attacks.
The youth-driven protests, triggered by a ban on social media platforms and frustration over corruption, remain largely leaderless and are coordinated via online platforms. Oli's resignation on Tuesday, shortly after his government lifted the social media ban, failed to quell the unrest, which escalated into looting, arson, and deadly clashes with security forces. At least 35 people, including police officers, have been killed, according to information from dpa obtained from multiple police and hospital sources.
Nepal police spokesman Binod Ghimire stated that the police headquarters have not yet compiled full details of casualties and property damage. 'It will take time to get the full details as we haven't received reports from the ground,' he said. Nine prisoners, including juveniles, have died in attempted jailbreaks as violence spilled into the prison system, according to the police.
Despite a heightened security presence, sporadic groups of mobs have continued to exploit the security vacuum in some districts for looting and vandalism, as noted by security agencies. In Kathmandu, soldiers and police collaborated with locals on Thursday to extinguish fires at government buildings, remove roadblocks, and clear debris from streets. Key offices, including parliament, the president's office, and the prime minister's residence, have suffered extensive damage from arson and vandalism.