Curfew in Nepal town after political clashes
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Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki called on all parties to “refrain from unwanted political provocation”.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KATHMANDU – A curfew was in force on Nov 20 in a Nepalese town following clashes between young activists and loyalists of the former ruling party that was overthrown in a deadly September uprising.
The measure was imposed for a second day in Simara, a town in Nepal’s Bara district south of the capital Kathmandu, a district official said.
The move came after young protesters rallied on Nov 19 while an event was held by the party of ousted prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli,
Scuffles broke out, some close to the airport, allegedly after CPN (UML) cadres attacked the protesters.
“We are trying to normalise the situation and call them for a dialogue. A curfew has been imposed right now,” Bara district chief Dharmendra Kumar Mishra told AFP.
Mr Mishra said two of the alleged attackers had been arrested.
The Nepal police spokesman said no one was severely injured in the clashes on Nov 19.
Young protesters took to the streets again on Nov 20 to demand action against those who attacked them.
The young demonstrators are part of the loose “Gen Z” movement, which emerged from protests in September that were triggered by anger over a brief government ban on social media
But anger ran much deeper after years of economic stagnation and entrenched corruption that primed the country for upheaval.
At least 76 people were killed during the demonstrations on Sept 8 and Sept 9, while Parliament, courts and government offices were torched.
Four-time premier Oli was ousted and replaced by Ms Sushila Karki, a former chief justice, who was appointed interim prime minister
She called on all parties to “refrain from unwanted political provocation”, and to trust the democratic process ahead of the election set for March 5, 2026.
“I have directed the home administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order,” she said in a statement issued late on Nov 19.
She added that she wanted to “ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties and create a fair and fear-free environment for the election”.
Ms Karki also held a meeting on Nov 19 with representatives of more than 110 parties.
“We want this country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision,” she told the meeting. AFP
