Nepal protest Sept 11 highlights: 34 dead so far, violent stir calms down but curfew extended

Nepal protest live updates: According to The Himalayan Post, Gen Z protest leaders have unanimously chosen former chief justice Sushila Karki as their nominee for interim Prime Minister.

Talks are set to begin between Karki’s team and Army leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, and could move to the President’s Office at Sheetal Niwas depending on developments.

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ has also voiced his support for Karki, further solidifying her position as the candidate backed by the Gen Z movement.

Nepal protest live updates: Normalcy is slowly returning to Birgunj as some shops opened under restricted hours on Thursday.

Ajay Prajapati, a local resident told PTI, “The situation is not that great. When will the curfew end is not even announced. We are facing difficulty.”

Nepal protest live updates: The Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu was left completely charred after it was set on fire during the recent anti-corruption protests. Drone visuals from the site show the extent of the damage to the building.

Nepal protest live updates: At least three inmates were killed and 13 others injured on Thursday after clashes with security personnel at Ramechhap district prison in Madhesh province, police said.

“The confrontation began when inmates attempted to break out of the facility by causing an explosion using a gas cylinder. Security forces opened fire in order to regain control when three of the inmates were killed,” a police source told news agency PTI.

Officials confirmed that more than 15,000 prisoners have escaped from over two dozen jails across Nepal since anti-government protests erupted earlier this week. The latest deaths bring the toll of inmates killed in clashes with security forces to eight since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has apprehended 35 escapees so far, including 22 along the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Bihar, and three in Bengal, reported ANI.

Nepal protest live updates: Andhra Pradesh cabinet minister Nara Lokesh said on Thursday that 22 Telugu citizens stranded in Nepal amid unrest have safely returned to India via Bihar. “We are pleased to inform that 22 Telugu individuals stranded in Nepal have safely returned to India via Bihar,” he posted on X.

He added that efforts are underway to bring back the remaining stranded individuals. The Andhra Pradesh government has also announced helpline numbers for Indians in Nepal.

Nepal protest live updates: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has so far apprehended 35 inmates who escaped during Nepal’s violent unrest, ANI reported citing officials. Of the arrested inmates, 22 were caught along the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh, 10 in Bihar, and three in Bengal, with the number still increasing.

When asked about the protests and unrest in Nepal, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Indian foreign ministry was keeping a close watch on the events there. “Last night I also spoke to the ambassador there. They are taking care of the people, and a helpline has also been started. If anyone has any kind of concern there, then definitely inform on that helpline and our mission there will fully assist in bringing back all our people,” he said during a news conference.

Former Ambassador of India to Nepal, Rakesh Sood, weighed in on the unrest in the border nation, asserting that the matter was "internal" and the Nepalese to sort out. "We have to ensure our own security. We have sealed the border...We need to observe things carefully, we need to monitor the situation, we need to see who the new leaders are...," he was quoted as saying by ANI. The former diplomat also said that India should be glad to not be brought into "the political slugfest".

"We should be glad that we have not been brought into the political slugfest that is underway in Nepal because we have seen very often that India often becomes a punching bag. We saw it recently with Bangladesh last year...," he said.

The death toll from the ongoing "Gen Z" protests in Kathmandu has risen to 31, the Kathmandu Post reported.

It also added that preliminary identities of 25 of the deceased have been established, while the identities of five males and one female are still unknown.

Nepal protest live updates: Protesters in Nepal are demanding an end to “institutionalised corruption and favouritism” in governance, calling for greater accountability and transparency in government decision-making.

Public frustration intensified after the “Nepo Babies” trend on social media exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, highlighting the economic gap between them and ordinary citizens.

The unrest also coincides with the government’s push for a social media regulation bill, which requires platforms to register locally and appoint official liaisons. Authorities say the measure ensures companies are “responsible and accountable,” but rights groups argue it is aimed at censoring dissent.

Only a few platforms, including TikTok and Viber, have been allowed to operate after registration, while the government’s blocking of major networks last week sparked the ongoing wave of protests.

Nepal protest live updates: Indian nationals crossed the India-Nepal border at Panitanki in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, on Thursday, returning home as tensions continue in Nepal due to youth-led protests and widespread unrest.

Speaking to ANI, one returning worker said, “We are coming from Dhulabari in Nepal. I used to work in a plywood factory there. The work there has stopped, so we have returned to India...”

Nepal protest live updates: Around 12 to 13 inmates were injured on Thursday morning after the Nepalese Army fired shots to stop a mass escape attempt at Ramechhap District Prison, ANI reported citing The Kathmandu Post.

According to the chief district officer of Ramechhap, Shyam Krishna Thapa, the prisoners broke through several internal locks and tried to force open the main gate before security forces intervened.

“Around 12 to 13 inmates were injured after the army opened fire as they reached the gate,” he said, as quoted by The Kathmandu Post. The prison, located in ward 8 of Ramechhap Municipality, houses more than 300 inmates. Police confirmed that all prisoners have been subdued and the situation is now under control.

The mass escape attempt comes amid a surge in prison break incidents in Nepal. Security has been strengthened at the facility, with personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force deployed.

Violent anti-corruption protests across the country earlier this week triggered widespread riots and arson, contributing to mass escapes. According to reports, over 15,000 inmates fled from more than 25 prisons in Nepal’s largest prison break in history, with only a small number voluntarily returning or being recaptured by the Army.

Nepal protest live updates: Nepal’s army will continue discussions on Thursday with Gen Z protesters to select a new interim leader, following demonstrations that left 30 dead and forced the prime minister to resign.

“Initial talks are on and would continue today,” Raja Ram Basnet, the army spokesperson, told Reuters. “We are trying to normalise the situation slowly.”

Nepal protest live updates: The Nepalese Army has extended the prohibitory order and curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts until 6 am on Friday, September 12, amid ongoing political unrest and widespread protests, reported news agency ANI

In a statement on Thursday, the army said essential service vehicles and institutions would be allowed to operate. Shops selling daily necessities will remain open from 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm, with residents urged to shop in small groups.

“Based on the security situation, we would like to inform you that the prohibitory order and curfew have been extended in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts until 6 am on Bhadra 27, 2082. However, essential service vehicles and institutions can operate. To make people's lives easier, we request that daily necessities will be available from 6 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 7 pm on Bhadra 26, but we urge you to work in small groups,” the statement read.

Nepal protest live updates: Nepal’s former chief justice Sushila Karki is the leading choice to head the interim government, a representative of the Gen Z protesters said Thursday.

“Right now, Sushila Karki's name is coming up to lead the interim government -- we are now waiting for the president to make a move,” Rakshya Bam, who attended a meeting with the army chief about the country’s future leadership, told AFP.

No decision has yet been made on who will lead the interim government, with former chief justice Sushila Karki, Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, and former electricity board CEO Kulman Ghising among the names being considered by protesting Gen Z groups.

On Thursday morning, according to PTI sources, Harka Sampang, mayor of Dharan Municipality, was also being considered alongside Karki and Shah, replacing Ghising in the list of potential leaders.

Nepal protest live updates: Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu reopened Wednesday evening, a day after suspending all flights due to violent protests in the capital.

Nepal protest live updates: Nepal Army has imposed curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur with limited windows for public movement. Curfew is lifted from 6 am to 10 am for essential activities, resumes from 10 am to 5 pm, allows another relaxation from 5 pm to 7 pm, and then a night curfew is in place from 7 pm to 6 am.

Nepal protest live updates: People were seen rushing to markets, shops, and groceries to buy essential goods as soon as the curfew was lifted, reported news agency PTI. There were few vehicles on the roads, which still bore marks of the violence that erupted since Sunday and led to Prime Minister Oli’s resignation on Tuesday.

The curfew had been imposed by the army from 5 pm on Wednesday to maintain law and order. Troops patrolled the streets to restore order and to quell possible violence “under the guise of agitation.”

The army, which took control of security from Tuesday night after incidents of arson and vandalism across the country, warned that any form of demonstrations, vandalism, arson, or attacks on individuals and property would be treated as criminal acts and dealt with accordingly.

Nepal protest live updates: Nepal Army on Thursday extended prohibitory orders in three districts of Kathmandu Valley while allowing limited public movement, as the country gradually returned to normal following violent protests, reported news agency PTI.

Troops continued to guard the streets, though the situation remained mostly peaceful elsewhere. Two people were killed and over a dozen injured in gunfire during a thwarted prison escape southeast of Kathmandu.

The curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur was lifted from 6 am, according to a Nepal Army notice. Public movement was allowed for essential work before restrictions resume from 10 am to 5 pm. Another relaxation will be allowed from 5 pm to 7 pm, followed by a night curfew from 7 pm to 6 am on Friday.

Nepal protest live updates: Kathmandu metropolitan city mayor Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ has voiced support for appointing former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as head of an interim government. He urged Nepal’s youth to remain calm amid ongoing protests and political upheaval.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shah said, "I fully support your proposal to lead this interim/electoral government by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. I would like to sincerely respect your understanding, wisdom, and unity. This shows how mature you are."

Some Gen Z protesters are also backing Shah as a new face amid the anti-government demonstrations.

Nepal protest live updates: Nepal’s army took back control of the capital, Kathmandu, on Wednesday following the worst violence in two decades. The unrest ousted the prime minister, left the parliament ablaze, and prompted the imposition of a curfew. The army has also begun talks with protest leaders to restore order.

Nepal protest live updates: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday spoke to tourists from the state stranded in Nepal and assured them of all possible assistance for their safe return. Officials said nearly 150 tourists from Maharashtra remain stranded due to the ongoing violent protests led by Gen Z.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also assured support, saying, "I take the issue regarding the tourists stuck in Nepal seriously. I want to tell them to wait for a while till the situation becomes normal. We are monitoring the situation closely and will bring all of you back soon."

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad district administration has issued a helpline number for its citizens stuck in Nepal.

Nepal protest live updates: A protester in Kathmandu said, “It is not easy to run a country, so we need someone who has a lot of experience.”

He told news agency ANI that, "Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is the only good option (as the country’s interim Prime Minister). She at least knows how to run a country and manage everything."

Nepal protest live updates: Indian nationals from the Nepal side crossed the India-Nepal border on Wednesday at Panitanki in Darjeeling, West Bengal, and returned to India as the situation remains tense in the neighbouring country.