Nepal leadership talks gridlocked as violence eases

Talks to decide on a temporary leader for the Nepal government ran into another gridlock on Thursday, even as the restive nation’s president appealed for peace and the army loosened some of the restrictions put in place to snuff out the violence that broke out earlier this week.

- Agencies

Representatives of the “Gen Z” movement, which spearheaded the anti-government protests, thrashed out the contours of a transitional government with the military brass as a clutch of names swirled around the corridors of power. Meanwhile, some protesters suggested that parliament be dissolved and the constitution amended to “reflect the will of the people”.

Former chief justice Sushila Karki, Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, former power department chief Kulman Ghising and Dharan mayor Harka Sampang were among those being considered to see the nation out of the crisis, said people aware of the talks.

Meanwhile, the mobs that destroyed homes, hotels, government buildings and public infrastructure began to filter out of the roads, with calm returning to Kathmandu. Thousands of personnel from the army, which has taken charge of security in Nepal, paraded the streets, walking past the caracasses of burnt cars and debris of ravaged buildings.

The health ministry said that 34 people were killed and 1,368 wounded in protests on Monday and Tuesday.