Nepal further descended into political and civil turmoil on Tuesday, September 9, following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid sweeping protests that have engulfed the country over the past week. The protests, driven largely by disillusioned students and youth, have shaken the foundations of Nepal’s political establishment and drawn international concern — particularly from neighbouring India.
The unrest has led to a near-complete shutdown of Government functions in the Capital, a temporary closure of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport and the suspension of all commercial flights. As a result, hundreds of Indian citizens remain stranded, while others have been urged to delay travel plans.
At the Tribhuvan International Airport, the situation grew increasingly chaotic as all flights were grounded indefinitely due to safety concerns. Nearly 700 Indian passengers are believed to be stuck at the airport or in nearby hotels with no clear information on when flights will resume.
The current wave of protests, dubbed the Gen Z Movement by local and international media, began as a student-led demonstration over rampant corruption, rising unemployment and the lack of political accountability.
Over the weekend, the protests turned violent, with demonstrators storming Government buildings and torching political offices. On Tuesday, protestors set fire to parts of Nepal’s Parliament building, escalating tensions further.
Oli’s aide, Prakash Silwal, confirmed the resignation and stated, “Oli has resigned to avoid further bloodshed and to open the door for national dialogue.”
The Nepal Army issued a rare public statement calling for calm, peace, and national unity. The military, which remains a key institution in Nepal’s fragile democracy, warned against destruction of public property and pledged to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty.
“We are analysing the latest developments of the Gen Z movement,” the Army said. “We urge everyone to remain calm, protect national assets, and respect the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Security forces have been deployed across major districts with armoured vehicles seen patrolling Kathmandu, Pokhara and other urban centres. Curfews have been imposed in some areas, while schools, colleges, and Government offices remain closed.
With Oli’s resignation and the traditional political elite facing mounting public anger, Nepal faces an uncertain political future. While a caretaker Government is likely to be installed soon, protest leaders have expressed little interest in engaging with mainstream political figures.
“We don’t want recycled politicians,” said 22-year-old protester Anuj Lamichhane. “We want a new Nepal built on accountability, transparency and real opportunity.”
Another person was killed during Tuesday’s protests, bringing the total death toll to 22. Nineteen people were reported killed on Monday alone as violent clashes intensified across several cities. Dozens more are reported injured, and hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties.
For now, restoring law and order remains the top priority for both Nepalese authorities and international missions. The Indian Government continues to monitor the situation closely. It has advised all Indian citizens to defer travel to Nepal and for those already in the country to remain indoors and follow local advisories.
Officials said additional flights may be organised once the airport reopens, but that could take several days depending on how the situation evolves.