Nepal’s former chief justice Sushila Karki is the leading choice to be interim leader, a representative of the “Gen Z” protesters said Thursday, after demonstrations that ousted the veteran prime minister.
Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel held “consultations with related stakeholders and held a meeting with representatives of Gen Z” on Wednesday, a military spokesperson said, referring to the loose umbrella title of the protest movement, without giving further details.
The army is seeking to restore order in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, after the worst violence in two decades ousted the prime minister and left the parliament ablaze on Tuesday.
“Right now, Sushila Karki’s name is coming up to lead the interim government — we are now waiting for the president to make a move,” said Rakshya Bam, who was among those attending the meeting.
“We discussed with the army chief about the future,” she told AFP.
“The conversation was about how we can move forward, keeping the peace and security of the country.”
Karki, 73, an academic and Nepal’s first female Supreme Court chief justice, has told AFP that “experts need to come together to figure out the way forward”, and that “the parliament still stands”.
But others warned the choice of the protesters — who are not one single party — was far from unanimous.
In a virtual meeting attended by thousands on the online social platform Discord, young people discussed their varied agendas — and debated who should represent them.
There were conflicting arguments and several names proposed.
“There are divisions,” journalist Pranaya Rana said. “It is natural in a decentralised movement like this that there are going to be competing interests and competing voices.”
Soldiers patrolled the streets of the capital for a second day on Thursday, which appeared to be quiet, with multiple army checkpoints set up along the streets.
Demonstrations began on Monday in Kathmandu against the government’s ban on social media and over corruption.
But they escalated into an outpouring of rage nationwide, with government buildings set on fire after at least 19 people were killed in a deadly crackdown.
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Armed soldiers guarded Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday, amid streets deserted after an indefinite curfew was clamped on the capital, Kathmandu, following two days of deadly anti-graft protests that spurred Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
The worst upheaval in decades in the poor Himalayan nation was unleashed by a social media ban announced last week but rolled back after 19 people died on Monday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.
Burnt vehicles and twisted metal heaps littered the area around parliament, where army firefighters battled to douse a blaze in the main hall, while the exterior was charred after angry protesters set it ablaze on Tuesday.
Among the victims of the violence was Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, who died after protesters allegedly set her home on fire, according to family members.
“We are trying to normalise the situation first,” army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said. “We are committed to protect the life and property of people.”
Armoured vehicles kept vigil in streets deserted except for a few strollers, with shops and markets shut.
Several other government buildings, from the supreme court to ministers’ homes, including Oli’s private residence, were also set ablaze in Tuesday’s protests, with the unrest subsiding only after the resignation.
Flights were disrupted, with the main airport in Kathmandu shut until 6pm (1215 GMT), an airport spokesperson said.
Talks to defuse crisis
In an appeal on X, the army said prohibitory orders would stay until Thursday morning, adding that relevant parties were coordinating to tackle the situation after the protest and resolve the issue.
The media also said preparations were being made for authorities and protesters to hold talks, without giving details. Reuters could not independently confirm the information.
Former Supreme Court judge Balaram KC urged the protesters to set up a negotiation team, with the army helping to maintain law and order, and called for fresh elections.
“Parliament should be dissolved and fresh elections held,” the constitutional expert told Reuters. “They should discuss forming the next caretaker government.”
Most of the protesters were young people voicing frustration at the government’s perceived failure to fight corruption and boost economic opportunities.
For years, a lack of jobs has driven millions to seek work in countries such as Malaysia, the Middle East and South Korea, mainly on construction sites, so as to send money home.
Wedged between India and China, Nepal has struggled with political and economic instability since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.
India’s security cabinet also met late on Tuesday to discuss the situation in its neighbour.
“Nepal’s stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X later. “I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order.”
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Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, has died after sustaining fatal burn injuries when protesters allegedly set her home ablaze in Dallu, Kathmandu, Indian media reported on Tuesday.
According to family members, demonstrators forced Chitrakar inside the residence before igniting the fire. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Reports indicated she had suffered severe burns to multiple parts of her body, including her lungs.
The attack came as violent, Gen Z-led protests spread across Nepal for a second consecutive day, triggered by corruption allegations, unemployment, and the government’s social media ban.
Despite the ban being lifted late Monday, demonstrators continued torching buildings, leading to the closure of Kathmandu airport and prompting India to issue an advisory urging its nationals in Nepal to remain indoors.
Videos circulating online showed the Parliament building and residences of top political leaders, including President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and former premiers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba, being set on fire.
Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel was also reportedly attacked, though the authenticity of some footage could not be independently verified.
At least 19 people were killed during rallies a day earlier, one of the deadliest crackdowns in years which fuelled public anger. Facing mounting pressure, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tendered his resignation, with aides confirming he stepped down after consultations with the Nepal Army Chief.
President Ramchandra Paudel, whose offices were also set on fire by mobs, pleaded for “all parties to exercise restraint, to not allow further damage”.
The call was echoed by neighbouring India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the “stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us”.
The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, said he was “appalled” by the violence and called for talks. Those appeals did not seem to be heeded.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said the headquarters of a major publisher — the Kantipur Media Group — was burning, and called on “protesters not to target journalists”.
The International Crisis Group called it a “major inflection point in the country’s uneasy experience with democratic rule”.
Kathmandu’s airport remains open, but some flights were cancelled after smoke from fires affected visibility, airport spokesman Rinji Sherpa said.
