Hundreds Seek to Leave Nepal as Army Deploys to Quell Violent Protests
KATHMANDU, Nepal – As Nepal’s army mobilized Wednesday to restore order following days of escalating violence, hundreds of citizens are making plans to leave the country, citing a lack of economic possibility and fueled by outrage over a deadly crackdown on protests.The unrest, initially sparked by a social media ban and a controversial bill targeting online media, has spiraled into widespread demonstrations against the government and broader discontent over corruption and inequality.
The protests began after a newly registered media platform failed to register with authorities and submit to oversight. Clashes between protesters and police escalated Tuesday with attacks on government buildings, including the parliament building, the presidential residence, and the prime minister’s official residence, all of which where set ablaze. Smoke continued to rise from the damaged structures on Wednesday. Kantipur publication, Nepal’s largest media outlet, was also targeted and damaged, along with numerous car showrooms.
The demonstrations continued despite the lifting of the social media ban on Tuesday, driven by anger over the deaths of approximately 30 protesters blamed on police action. The overall death toll in the violence has reached 30, with 1,033 people injured, according to the Health Ministry.
Youth unemployment,running at roughly 20% last year according to the World Bank,is a key driver of the unrest. The government estimates that more than 2,000 young people leave Nepal daily to seek work in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
“We are compelled to go abroad because there is no future for people like us in Nepal,” said Asmita Poudel, waiting for a flight to Dubai. “If there were opportunities, we would all stay back in the country.”
The military, rarely mobilized in Nepal, initially remained in barracks as police lost control. Security forces began deploying late Tuesday, stating their commitment to preserving law and order. On Wednesday, soldiers also quelled a jailbreak in Kathmandu, firing into the air to apprehend escaping inmates and transferring them to other facilities; no injuries were reported.
