Tensions escalated in Kathmandu, Nepal, as the Nepalese Army enforced a curfew on March 15, 2024, following violent protests that erupted earlier in the week. Armed soldiers patrolled the streets after tens of thousands of demonstrators set fire to government buildings, attacked politicians, and looted properties. The army’s deployment aimed to restore order amid chaos and unrest that had gripped the capital.
Soldiers monitored the main areas of Kathmandu, advising residents to remain indoors while checking vehicles and individuals for compliance with the curfew. The military had previously refrained from intervening, but public safety concerns prompted a shift in strategy. An army statement confirmed the arrest of 27 suspected looters as they moved to regain control of the situation.
The protests intensified on Tuesday, with demonstrators targeting government facilities and the homes of political leaders. Criticism of the political elite surged, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. Despite this political shift, unrest continued, and tens of thousands remained in the streets, obstructing roads and storming government buildings. Army helicopters evacuated some ministers to safety as the violence unfolded.
Earlier in the week, demonstrations ignited after the government imposed a ban on several social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, citing regulatory compliance issues. The protests, which began primarily among young people, spiraled into broader discontent regarding political corruption and youth unemployment. According to the World Bank, youth unemployment stood at approximately 20% last year, prompting many to seek work abroad.
As the protests continued, reports emerged of 19 fatalities resulting from police actions, with many others injured. Videos circulated on social media showing violence against political figures, including Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader of the Nepali Congress party, who was attacked alongside his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, the current foreign minister.
In response to the unrest, President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed for peaceful resolution, urging protesters to cease escalating violence. He accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Oli and assigned him to lead a caretaker government until a new administration is established.
The demonstrations, dubbed the “protest of Gen Z,” reflect widespread frustration within Nepal’s youth demographic. Many young people express resentment toward the perceived privileges of the children of political leaders, often referred to as “nepo kids,” while they struggle to secure employment.
The government aims to regulate social media through proposed legislation that would require platforms to register in Nepal and appoint local representatives. Critics argue that this regulation serves as a vehicle for censorship and repression of dissent, as it applies to around two dozen widely used social networks. While TikTok and other platforms that complied continued operating without interruption, the unrest highlighted a growing demand for accountability and change within the political system.
As violence subsided in some areas, smoke lingered from key government buildings, including the parliament and the prime minister’s official residence, both of which sustained significant damage. The aftermath of the protests raises questions about the future of governance in Nepal and the ongoing struggle between the state’s authority and the voices of its citizens.