Massive protests have erupted in Nepal, escalating into arson attacks on the parliament and residences of senior politicians. The army deployed helicopters to evacuate officials, while Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli announced his resignation, reports Baltimore Chronicle.
In Kathmandu, the military urgently evacuated ministers from their residences seized by demonstrators. Five helicopters were used to transport officials to Tribhuvan International Airport, which was closed to all flights. VIPs were later accommodated at the Maharajgunj military barracks.
Earlier, Oli appealed to the army commander, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, to ensure his safety. However, the military advised him to step down, stressing that stabilization would only be possible after his resignation.
Protesters stormed the residences of the president, the prime minister, and several ministers. They also set fire to the home of Sher Bahadur Deuba, head of the ruling party and president of the Nepali Congress, destroying vehicles inside. The Supreme Court, the Office of the Attorney General, and several municipal buildings were also damaged. The torching of the parliament marked the most dramatic escalation, with footage of huge flames and thick smoke spreading across social media.
In addition, demonstrators set fire to the Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu, owned by a leader of the ruling party. With unrest spreading across the country, Tribhuvan Airport remains closed, and all flights have been canceled.
Local media reported that protesters are coordinating through the Discord platform. Messages circulated include instructions for making Molotov cocktails, damaging aircraft at the airport, and locating ammunition in police stations.
The protests were triggered by widespread anger over government corruption and a ban on social media. Platforms such as YouTube, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram were blocked. Although authorities later lifted the ban and imposed a curfew in the capital, demonstrators refused to disperse.
During earlier demonstrations, at least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured. At 15:00, reports emerged claiming that Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel had resigned and fled his residence by military helicopter after protesters seized the palace. However, the president’s office denied these claims.
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