Is Curfew Back in Kathmandu Valley After Minister Resignation?

Kathmandu, Sep 9 (NationPress) - Amid ongoing protests in the capital and surrounding areas against the government's brutal response to the GenZ demonstrations on Monday, which resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals, the local administrations in the Kathmandu Valley have reinstated a curfew.

In response to the turmoil, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has stepped down from his position, while the Nepali government has lifted the ban on social media without prior notification.

On Tuesday, another minister from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's cabinet resigned, protesting the violence inflicted on GenZ demonstrators.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari, issued a statement on Tuesday, explaining his resignation was due to the distress he felt witnessing the nation's suffering caused by state violence.

He expressed concerns that the state's violent actions could lead to a totalitarian regime. On the same day, protests erupted in various parts of the Kathmandu Valley, prompting local administrations to impose a curfew prohibiting public assembly.

Three District Administration Offices (DAOs) under the Home Ministry have issued curfews in key areas of the valley starting early in the morning, aiming to control access to the central cities.

The DAO in Kathmandu announced a curfew effective from 8:30 am, restricting movement within the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. This includes bans on gatherings, demonstrations, or sit-ins.

The local administration has targeted main entry points to prevent access to the core city areas during the curfew. However, security personnel will allow the passage of vehicles for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and vehicles transporting healthcare workers, journalists, tourists, and those with air tickets.

Similarly, the DAO in Lalitpur has enforced a curfew in various locations of the district, citing the potential for unrest and violence that could disrupt public peace.

Prohibitory orders have been issued in various regions of Lalitpur, effective from early morning, as recommended by the District Security Committee.

All forms of assemblies, rallies, gatherings, and group movements are banned in designated areas of Lalitpur, according to the notice.

DAO Bhaktapur has also enacted a curfew in multiple locations, prohibiting protests and assemblies.

Following the alarming violence on Monday, demonstrations against the government's actions have transpired across the country, including in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Public outrage is manifesting on social media, with many labeling the government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as the 'Murderer Government.' In a statement late Monday, Prime Minister Oli attributed the tragic incidents to the infiltration of 'unwanted elements' during the protests.

Meanwhile, several embassies of Western nations in Kathmandu, including Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Norway, Germany, and the USA, released a joint statement urging all parties to exercise utmost restraint, prevent escalation, and uphold fundamental rights.