Nepal Plunges Into Chaos After Parliament Set Ablaze, Prime Minister Resigns

Nepal has been thrown into turmoil after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid the country’s worst unrest in decades. His departure comes as anger grows over the deaths of 19 anti-corruption protesters killed in clashes with police on Monday.

The unrest escalated further yesterday when demonstrators set fire to parliament in Kathmandu, sending thick black smoke across the capital. Government offices and the homes of political leaders were also attacked in multiple regions, as the protests spread beyond the capital. At least three more people were reported dead, while officials confirmed that 900 inmates escaped from two prisons in western Nepal during the chaos.

The demonstrations were initially sparked by a ban on social media platforms, which the government lifted on Monday. But by then, the protests had grown into a nationwide movement targeting corruption and governance failures.

Nepal’s army chief issued a late-night statement accusing protesters of looting and destroying property, warning that the military and all other security institutions were prepared to take control of the situation if violence continued. The warning was set to take effect from 22:00 local time on Tuesday, though no details were given on what measures might follow.

With Oli gone, Nepal faces an uncertain political future. No clear successor has emerged, and reports suggest that some ministers and leaders have sought refuge under security protection as the country teeters on the brink of deeper instability.