Protests in Nepal entered their second consecutive day on Tuesday, even after the government announced that it was lifting the controversial ban on social media platforms. The demonstrations, which turned increasingly violent, claimed two more lives, raising the overall death toll to 22 and leaving more than 300 people injured.
Amid mounting pressure, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli submitted his resignation. His aide, Prakash Silwal, confirmed the development, stating that Oli had decided to step down in order “to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically.” The decision came as calls for his removal grew louder, with demonstrators demanding not only his resignation but also the dismissal of the government itself.
Just hours before resigning, Oli had made a public appeal for peace. He urged demonstrators to refrain from violence and called for dialogue as the way forward. He had also announced an all-party meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. to address the escalating crisis. “Any form of violence is not in the national interest. We must adopt peaceful dialogue and discussion,” Oli had said in a statement released earlier that day.
According to military sources, Oli reached out to Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel as the unrest spiraled out of control. He reportedly requested military support both to restore order and to ensure his safe exit from the Prime Minister’s residence. The Army Chief, however, advised him to step down, noting that the military would only be able to stabilize the country if political leadership changed. Some reports suggested that Oli was even considering fleeing to Dubai before the resignation was finalized.
In a rare joint letter, Nepal’s Chief Secretary, Army Chief, Home Secretary, and Police Chief expressed sorrow over the growing loss of life and damage to property. They appealed to the public to exercise restraint, stressing that with Oli’s resignation accepted, the way forward must be through political dialogue and peaceful settlement rather than violence.
Meanwhile, Kathmandu witnessed intensified security operations. Around a dozen helicopters were dispatched from the Bhaisepati ministerial quarters to evacuate senior government officials to Tribhuvan International Airport. At least five army helicopters were specifically tasked with transporting key ministers. As the unrest spread, the airport was shut down and all commercial flights were cancelled. Protesters, coordinating through social media, were reportedly planning to disrupt air operations with drones, fireworks, and laser lights directed at aircraft.
The fury of demonstrators extended to political landmarks and private residences. On Tuesday, protesters stormed and set fire to Nepal’s Parliament, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. The homes and offices of senior leaders, including those of the Prime Minister and the President, were also vandalized. Singha Durbar, the administrative complex that houses both ministerial offices and the Parliament, was attacked, with multiple videos of the chaos circulating online.
The images of the burning Parliament have now become the most powerful symbol of the country’s spiraling crisis. With the Prime Minister’s resignation and the protests showing no signs of ending, Nepal stands at a critical crossroads, facing both political uncertainty and the urgent need to prevent further bloodshed.
