Kathmandu: Nepal’s Health Ministry confirmed on Friday that at least 51 people have been killed in the nationwide “Gen Z” protests, a movement sparked by the government’s abrupt ban on major social media platforms and fuelled by long-simmering anger over corruption and privilege.
According to officials, 30 of the victims died from gunshot wounds, while 21 others succumbed to burns, injuries and trauma. Among the dead are three police officers and one Indian national. The Kathmandu Post cited Nepal Police spokesperson Ramesh Thapa in reporting the toll.
Thirty-six of the bodies have been stored at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, where autopsies began Friday. Hospital authorities have also started releasing the remains of protesters to families following post-mortems.
The demonstrations erupted on September 8 across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal and Birgunj after authorities blocked popular social platforms citing tax revenue and cybersecurity concerns. Critics say the ban further eroded public trust at a time when frustration over “institutionalised corruption” and elite privilege was already deep. Online, the “Nepo Babies” trend showcasing the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children amplified the anger.
Security forces have imposed rolling curfews in Kathmandu and other cities. The Nepalese Army said the restrictions will run until 5 p.m. Friday and resume from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday to contain further unrest.
Against this backdrop, Nepal’s political class is scrambling to form an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to host talks at Sital Niwas, his official residence, later today on creating a caretaker cabinet.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has emerged as the consensus choice of Gen Z protest leaders and is expected to meet senior adviser Baburam Kunwar before holding discussions with the President. If agreement is reached, she could be sworn in as interim prime minister within hours, The Kathmandu Post reported.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, widely popular among young voters, has also endorsed Karki, adding momentum to her candidacy. Protest leaders said in a press briefing Thursday that Karki’s “integrity and independence” make her their preferred nominee to steer the country out of crisis.
The protests, unprecedented in scale and driven largely by younger Nepalis, have shaken the political establishment. With anger over corruption, economic disparity and digital repression boiling over, the country now faces one of its most serious bouts of instability since the end of the monarchy.
