Violence rages in Nepal as PM KPS Oli resigns, Army takes control of security

Nepal descended further into turmoil on Tuesday as violent protests swept across the country even after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from office, with demonstrators torching the parliament building, the President's Office, the Prime Minister's residence, homes of senior leaders, and government complexes, a day after 19 people were killed in clashes with security forces over corruption allegations and a short-lived social media ban.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Despite curfews and the deployment of additional security personnel, large crowds continued to gather in Kathmandu and other cities, targeting symbols of state authority and political power. Mobs vandalised media houses, attacked police posts, and set ablaze residences linked to former and current leaders, underscoring the growing anger of the so-called "Gen Z" movement against Nepal's establishment.

Hundreds of protesters stormed the parliament building, the President's Office in Maharajgunj, and the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar.

Demonstrators also set ablaze Singhdurbar, the administrative headquarters of the government, and vandalised media offices, including Kantipur Television in Kathmandu's Tinkune area. The agitating groups also set fire to the Supreme Court building.

In a dramatic escalation, mobs attacked the private homes of senior leaders across the capital.

The house of former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal was set on fire in Dallu, where his wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, sustained severe burns. She succumbed to her injuries at Kirtipur Burn Hospital, according to family sources quoted by Khabarhub.

Similarly, the homes of former finance minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramsaran Mahat in Kapan, ex-prime minister Baburam Bhattarai in Tokha, and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha were targeted. Eyewitnesses said Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana, were dragged out of their residence by protesters and sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.

Protesters also torched the Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu, a property linked to Deuba's family, and damaged Ullens School in Lalitpur, reportedly owned by Rana.

Prime Minister Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon after protesters entered his office demanding accountability for the deaths during Monday's clashes with security forces.