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Nepal protests highlights: Flight operations suspended till Wednesday, Army takes control of Kathmandu airport
Nepal protests highlights: The Nepal Army in a statement said that they would mobilise troops and take charge of the country's security from 10 pm on Tuesday.
Nepal protests highlights: The updates to this live blog have ended. Follow the fresh updates here. All airports in Nepal were shut on Tuesday amid violent protests, with flights grounded due to nationwide security risks. Flight operations to and from Nepal will remain suspended till 12 pm on Wednesday, with the army taking control of the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, The Kathmandu Post reported.
...Read MoreThe Nepal Army in a statement said that they would mobilise troops and take charge of the country's security from 10 pm on Tuesday. The Army said that some groups had been taking “undue advantage of the difficult situation”, adding that all security mechanisms would be deployed if violence continues.
In a fresh wave of protests on Tuesday, protestors set fire to government and private buildings in Rupandehi, including several courts, destroying important legal documents. The protestors breached premises of the Pokhra and Nakhu jails in Nepal, following which around 900 prisoners escaped.
Former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal's house was torched, following which his wife Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar died of burn injuries. The protesters also vandalised the residence of Prime Minister Oli, President of Nepal, former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' at Khumaltar in Lalitpur and demonstrated in front of former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba's house at Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu.
Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel on Tuesday urged protestors to suspend their agitation, and agree to hold dialogue. In a video message to the citizens, Sigdel said protecting national interest was everyone's “shared responsibility”.
Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel also called on protestors for talks next week, Reuters quoted his aide as saying. Within hours of violent anti-government demonstrations erupting across Nepal, Prime Minister KP Oli resigned from his post amid growing calls for his immediate departure on Tuesday.
Authorities reimposed restrictions in the capital. The Kathmandu District Administration Office imposed an indefinite curfew inside the Ring Road area of the Nepalese capital.
Protesters blocked key roads near the Nepal Parliament and in Kalanki, among other locations. They were seen chanting slogans and confronting police. Visuals showed violent clashes in Kathmandu.
Why are Nepalese protesting?
The unrest was triggered by public outrage over internet restrictions, including a controversial social media blackout, which they see as the authoritarian attitude of the government and said they won't stop until Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigns.
A decision to lift the ban on social media sites was made after an emergency cabinet meeting late on Monday. The ban was put in place last week on sites that did not comply with a deadline for registering with Nepal's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Nepal PM resigns
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli issued a statement late on Monday evening announced that the social media ban that was put in place last week has been lifted. In the statement, Oli rather blamed "infiltration by various vested interest groups" behind Monday's violence.
Oli said the government would set up a panel to investigate the protests and would offer financial "relief" to victims and provide free treatment to those injured.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Oli stepped down from his post amid growing calls for his resignation.
Nepal protests | Key developments so far
- Protests erupted in Nepal on Tuesday, a day after the country lifted a social media ban that triggered clashes between citizens and security forces.
- The Kathmandu District Administration Office imposed an indefinite curfew inside the Ring Road area of the Nepalese capital.
- Another curfew has been imposed on Tuesday.
- Security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Kathmandu and Itahari on Monday, leaving at least 19 dead.
- The protesters are demonstrating against what they see as the government's authoritarian attitude and have said they won't stop until PM KP Sharma Oli resigns.
- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday resigned from the post.
- A decision to lift the ban on social media sites was made after an emergency cabinet meeting late on Monday.
- A committee will be formed to investigate the ongoing protests, and victims will be offered financial “relief.”
PinnedNepal protests highlights: KP Sharma Oli resigns, Parliament on fire, Army takes charge & airport closed
- Nepal burned at several places on Tuesday as the Gen Z protesters continued their anti-government agitation across the country, forcing KP Sharma Oli to resign from the prime minister's post.
- Demonstrators set fire to the private residence of former PM KP Sharma Oli, former home minister and several other top leaders of the country.
- Scary visuals surfaced from the Nepalese Parliament in Kathmandu as protesters breached the premises and set fire to the building. The entire area and the sky above were taken over by massive plumes of black and grey smoke in the aftermath.
- The Nepal Army said that it would take control of the country's security operations from 10 pm on Tuesday. It also later took over the Tribhuvan International Airport.
- The Nepal airport has been temporarily amid the escalating situation over security concerns, while several airlines have cancelled flights to Kathmandu.
- The Nepal Army chief also called on the Gen Z protesters for a dialogue, asking them to prefer the peaceful way out of this grim situation.
Nepal protests live updates: Social media ban lifted
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday announced that the social media ban that was put in place last week has been lifted. A decision to lift the ban on social media sites was made after an emergency cabinet meeting late on Monday.
Nepal protests live updates: PM Oli's statement on ongoing demonstations
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday issued a statement announcing that the social media ban that was put in place last week has been lifted. In the statement, Oli rather blamed "infiltration by various vested interest groups" behind Monday's violence.
