By Nepal plunged into turmoil on Tuesday as anti-corruption protests escalated into widespread violence, leaving a trail of destruction, multiple jail breaks, and a rising death toll. Demonstrators, largely from Generation Z, targeted government offices, the parliament building, and residences of high-ranking officials, demanding an end to corruption and the lifting of a recently imposed social media ban.
In one of the most dramatic incidents of the day, the parliament building in Kathmandu was set on fire. Authorities confirmed two major jail breaks: 773 inmates escaped from Kaski District prison and 127 from Tulsipur Jail in Dang province. Local media also reported additional breakouts, though these remain unverified.
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British tourists caught in the unrest described a city under siege. Joseph Glass, 28, a carpenter from Norfolk, said smoke from fires filled the skies and military helicopters circled overhead. “The whole of Kathmandu had been shut down. The protesters originally went straight to the airport to block the ministers from escaping. It’s an incredible scene. Fires stretch across the city as far as I can see,” he said.
The protests were triggered last week when the government banned 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, for failing to register with authorities. Critics argued the ban was an attempt to suppress anti-corruption campaigns. While the ban was repealed on Monday night, the demonstrations continued, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with government corruption and perceived inefficiency.
The protesters, identifying as Generation Z, are predominantly students from colleges and universities in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Itahari, and other major cities. Their demands have remained consistent: end corruption and ensure freedom on social media platforms.
The unrest has taken a deadly toll. At least 22 people have now died since Monday, including 19 killed during the first day of demonstrations. Hundreds more have been injured; Civil Service Hospital admitted 209 people on Tuesday alone, of whom 186 have since been discharged. The National Trauma Centre reported nearly 40 patients with serious injuries.
In response to the chaos, the Nepali Army has urged demonstrators to exercise restraint. Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel called for dialogue and stressed the military’s commitment to national unity and territorial integrity. “It is our common responsibility to maintain law and order, ensure national unity, and not to let additional loss of life and property occur,” he said in a video message.
President Ram Chandra Poudel also appealed for calm, encouraging young protesters to find peaceful solutions.
The scale and intensity of the unrest have left the nation in an uneasy state. With government offices damaged, fires raging across major cities, and public fear gripping residents, Nepal faces one of its most severe political crises in recent memory.
