Nepal PM Oli resigns as anti-corruption protests spiral

Protesters celebrate 'victory' even as country plunges into political uncertainty

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KATHMANDU - Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Sept 9 as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.

Mr Oli's government lifted the social media ban after protests intensified on Sept 8, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters trying to storm Parliament. Along with the 19 killed, more than 100 people were injured in the unrest.

There was no let-up in the protests on Sept 9, forcing Mr Oli to quit and plunging Nepal into fresh political uncertainty.

The unrest is the worst in decades in the poor Himalayan country that is wedged between India and China and has struggled with political instability and economic uncertainty since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.

"In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the Constitution," Mr Oli said in his resignation letter to President Ram Chandra Poudel.

An aide to Mr Poudel told Reuters the resignation had been accepted and the President had begun the "process and discussions for a new leader".

Jubilant young people entered the Parliament complex on hearing the news, waving their hands in the air and shouting slogans as smoke arose from sections of the building.