Nepal protests highlights: Flight operations suspended till Wednesday, Army takes control of Kathmandu airport

Nepal protests live updates: Former Indian diplomat Sukh Deo Mani has said that Nepal's situation is "one of anarchy" as the nation reels under violent protests against the government.

"The situation is one of anarchy at the moment. But I understand that Oli has already left the country, or he's about to leave the country for Dubai, and the whole government has collapsed. What I'm worried about is the acts like burning of the parliament, and why should anybody be doing that kind of thing?" Sukh Deo Muni told ANI.

Nepal protests live updates: As unrest continues in Nepal, Uttar Pradesh's border districts saw empty markets, with residents grappling with cancelled travel plans and severed family contacts across the frontier and many expressing concern over the disruption of their daily lives.

In Bahraich's Rupaidiha town, which usually bustles with Nepali shoppers, markets have fallen silent.

"Normally, our markets thrive because Nepali buyers come here for daily needs. But now, the markets are silent. Families on both sides are interlinked by marriages, so the unrest has left people here worried," Dr Uma Shankar Vaishya, chairman of the local nagar panchayat, told PTI.

Nepal protests live updates: Air India and IndiGo are among the airlines that cancelled their flights connecting Kathmandu on Tuesday as the airport in Nepal's capital has been temporarily closed amid massive anti-government protests in the neighbouring nation.

Nepal protests live updates: Russia has expressed concern over the developments in Nepal and urged a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“The Russian side urges a peaceful resolution of the internal political crisis within the framework of the national laws and hopes for a speedy normalisation of the situation in the friendly country,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Amid the suspension of flight operations till Wednesday, over 40 devotees from Gujarat's Bhavnagar are stranded in Nepal, India Today reported citing local officials. The group was in Nepal on a pilgrimage when the protests broke out.

BJP MLA Jitubhai Vaghani spoke to the devotees over a phone call, assuring them of support. The BJP MLA said that he had informed Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and the Indian Government about the situation, according to India Today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the citizens of Nepal to maintain peace and order, while calling the situation in the country “heart-wrenching”. “My heart is extremely disturbed by the fact that many young people have lost their lives. Nepal's stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

Nepal has shut all its airports, suspending flight operations to and from the country till Wednesday evening, The Kathmandu Post reported. All flights have been grounded citing nationwide security risks. The Army has taken control of the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The airport's general manager, Hansa Raj Pandey, said the authorities will review the safety and security situation before resuming flights.

Nepal's Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel on Tuesday called for peace, saying the protection of national interest was everyone's shared responsibility. In a video message addressing the nation, Sigdel said, “As there has already been a huge loss of lives and property, it is the common duty of all Nepalis to contribute towards maintaining peace and security, ensuring that there is no further loss, while also preserving national integrity and harmony.”

Sigdel urged protestors to suspend their agitation and come forward for dialogue. “…To lead the country towards peace from the present adverse situation, we appeal to the protesters to suspend their protest and come for dialogue,” the Army Chief said. The Army has, in a separate statement, said it will be mobilised after 10 pm to bring the situation under control.

Protestors breached premises of the Pokhra and Nakhu jails in Nepal, following which around 900 prisoners escaped, India Today reported. In Kathmandu's Nakhu jail, the protestors set parts of the facility on fire, with all prisoners being freed.

Protestors on Tuesday set fire to government and private buildings in Rupandehi. Two district courts were also torched, according to The Kathmandu Post, with important documents at the Butwal High Court and district court in Bhairahawa destroyed.

The Siraha district court was also set on fire, with documents inside the building destroyed in the blaze.

In the light of recent events, Nepal's Chief of Army Staff Ashokraj Sigdel will address the citizens of the country, with preparations for his speech underway, The Kathmandu Post quoted army sources as saying.

With reports of violence on the Nepal side of the Indo-Nepal border in Panitanki, West Bengal, police said they were on alert and increased deployment in the area. “As the situation on the border is concerned, it is absolutely peaceful at the International border and on the Indian side of the border,” ADG & IG of North Bengal Police, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, told ANI.

Yadav said the intelligence machinery had been geared up, adding that the police would be working in coordination with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). “SSB has also increased their foot on the ground in this area. The Immigration & Customs Office across the border has been attacked,” Yadav said.

Visuals shared by ANI news agency show Nepali media outlet Kantipur TV’s headquarters on fire.

The protestors in Bhairahawa city set fire to the Gautam Buddha International Airport on Tuesday evening, entering the premises and vandalising property, The Kathmandu Post reported. The protestors also torched four government vehicles, damaging some security vehicles.

As protestors continue vandalising and setting fire to house of lawmakers and ministers, the Parsa District Administration extended the curfew in Birgunj indefinitely, The Kathmandu Post reported. The restriction was initially imposed from 11 am to 6 pm in specific areas, but was extended by Chief District Officer Toya Naryan Subedi until further notice.

Former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal's wife Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar succumbed to burn injuries after protestors torched their house. According to family members quoted by Nepali outlet Khabar Hub, Chitrakar was taken to the hospital in a critical condition, but could not survive.

Former ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri said that the protests over social media ban show that “democracy is alive in a very interesting sense of the term”, and that “people can take things into their own hands because the politicians are not listening.”

“Isn't that exactly what happened in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh?... Politicians in democracies need to remember, you need to keep a finger on the pulse of the people who are critical, and for Nepal, that's young people in Kathmandu...” Puri told ANI.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah 'Balen' has urged Gen Z protesters to exercise restraint following Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's resignation after violent protests gripped the nation, The Himalayan Times reported.

Amidst the ongoing violent Gen Z protests in Nepal, the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters on Tuesday tightened the security along the Indo-Nepal border, a press release from the CMO said.

Pithoragarh Police, along with SSB personnel, are conducting regular patrolling and combing operations along the Kali River and other sensitive areas within the border police station jurisdictions.

The Nepali Army and chiefs of other security agencies issued a joint appeal on Tuesday, urging protesters to restrain and resolve the crisis through dialogue.

"As the Prime Minister's resignation has already been accepted by the president, we call upon all to restrain and not to allow more loss to life and property in this difficult situation,” they said.

They also called upon all concerned parties to find a peaceful solution to the problem through political dialogue.

On the violent protests in Nepal against the government, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged people in Siliguri and Kalimpong to maintain peace.

“Look, Nepal is not my country; it is a foreign country, so I cannot comment on its internal matters. The Government of India can make a statement, but I cannot. Nepal is our neighbour, and we love Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and all other bordering nations. If the Government of India instructs us, we will respond accordingly; otherwise, it is their responsibility to handle. I would, however, like to appeal to the people of Siliguri and Kalimpong, who share a border with Nepal, to maintain peace," Mamata said.

On Tuesday, protestors set the Nepal Parliament building on fire as the protest turned violent in Kathmandu. The video of the incident went viral on social media.

The Nepali PM resigned this afternoon amid demonstrations against the Government over alleged corruption.

The CPI(ML) Liberation on Tuesday expressed its outrage over the killings of civilians in Nepal and slammed the "corruption" that, it said, corroded the neighbouring country's institutions.

In a statement, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation said the government's move to ban 26 social media sites, including WhatsApp, YouTube, and X, was an assault on the people's fundamental right to free expression.

The Indian government on Tuesday issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Nepal and urged them to shelter in their current place of residence.

“In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu," the post read.