Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Monday, officials confirmed, bowing to mounting pressure after one of the country’s deadliest crackdowns in years left at least 19 people dead. His resignation signals the start of intense political negotiations as parties scramble to form a new government.
The unrest, largely led by young Nepalis, erupted over corruption, unemployment, and a controversial social media ban that briefly blocked platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X. Despite the ban being lifted on Tuesday morning, protests continued across Kathmandu, with demonstrators blocking roads, burning tyres, and clashing with police.
Gen-Z–led crowds set fire to the residences of top leaders, including Prime Minister Oli, Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and several senior politicians. On Monday, protesters stormed and torched parts of President Ram Chandra Paudel’s residence. Residences of Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal were also attacked. A private school owned by Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba Rana was set ablaze.
Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Kathmandu and deployed heavy security, but crowds continued to gather near Parliament, chanting for justice for the dead. Hospitals reported treating victims with gunshot wounds to the head and chest, many in critical condition.
In response to the violence, Oli had announced a 15-day inquiry, pledged compensation for victims’ families, and offered free treatment for the injured. Home Minister Lekhak resigned late Monday.
The protests reflect broader anger at Nepal’s political elite, which critics accuse of corruption and authoritarianism. The recently proposed bill requiring social media platforms to register locally has further deepened public distrust. With Oli stepping down, Nepal faces a critical juncture as political factions negotiate a new government amid a climate of widespread unrest and public outrage.