Former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal’s wife, Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, has died after suffering fatal burn injuries when protesters set fire to their residence in Dallu, Kathmandu. According to her family, a group of demonstrators allegedly forced her inside the house before igniting the blaze. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries despite emergency medical efforts.
The attack on Khanal’s home unfolded amid the ongoing wave of violent Gen-Z-led protests that have plunged Nepal into chaos. The demonstrations, initially sparked by anger over the government’s ban on social media, entered their second consecutive day of violence even after the ban was lifted. Protesters escalated demands for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation and the dismissal of his government, accusing the leadership of authoritarianism and corruption.
The death toll from the protests has now risen to at least 22, with over 300 others injured in widespread clashes and arson attacks. Government and political landmarks across Nepal have come under direct assault. Protesters torched Singh Durbar, Nepal’s central administrative complex, and Sheetal Niwas, the official presidential residence. The private residences of President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister Oli, and former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" and Sher Bahadur Deuba were also set ablaze.
In one of the most brazen attacks, Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, were reportedly assaulted as protesters stormed their residence. Offices of several political parties have also been targeted, underscoring the anarchic nature of the unrest. Witnesses described scenes of complete lawlessness as mobs moved freely through the capital, attacking symbols of authority.
The violence marks one of the worst breakdowns of public order in Nepal in recent years. What began as an anti-corruption movement led by disenchanted youth has spiraled into widespread destruction and bloodshed. The government’s attempt to quell dissent by banning social media platforms appears to have backfired, instead intensifying public anger and giving rise to calls for regime change.
The pressure reached a climax with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tendering his resignation. His aide, Prakash Silwal, confirmed that Oli stepped down in an effort to "facilitate a solution to the problem and help resolve it politically." In his resignation letter, Oli acknowledged the severity of the crisis and suggested his departure could open the way for dialogue.
According to military sources, Oli had earlier reached out to Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel for assistance in controlling the unrest and ensuring his own safe exit from the Prime Minister’s residence. However, the Army Chief reportedly advised him to resign, indicating that the military could only act to stabilise the situation if Oli relinquished power. This advice reflects the army’s cautious approach to being drawn into political conflict and its preference for a political resolution over a militarised crackdown.
The death of Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar has further inflamed public anger and grief, symbolising the personal toll of a crisis that has now engulfed Nepal’s political elite. With multiple leaders’ residences attacked, protesters openly targeting ministers, and state institutions in flames, the unrest has entered uncharted territory.
Nepal now stands at a dangerous crossroads. The resignation of Oli may calm some tensions, but the scale of destruction and the intensity of public fury suggest that deeper political reforms may be demanded before peace can return. The events highlight how quickly a disorganised, leaderless protest movement can spiral into uncontrolled violence, threatening the very stability of the state.
