At least 51 people have been killed during violent anticorruption protests in Nepal this week, police said Friday, as more than 12,500 prisoners who escaped during the unrest remain at large.
Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire confirmed that the dead included 21 protesters, nine prisoners, three police officers, and 18 others. More than 1,300 people have been injured since demonstrations erupted over corruption, poor governance, and a government social media ban.
The turmoil has triggered a leadership crisis, with former Chief Justice Sushila Karki expected to be named interim prime minister in a bid to calm tensions. A constitutional expert told Reuters the decision could be finalized later on Friday after meetings between President Ramchandra Paudel, army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, Karki, and protest leaders.
Nepal’s army imposed a curfew after protesters torched parliament on Tuesday, prompting Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Security forces say they have recovered more than 100 looted weapons, while Indian border troops have detained fugitives attempting to cross the frontier.
Karki, seen as a corruption critic, has support from “Gen Z” protesters driving the movement, but her appointment faces questions since she is not a sitting member of parliament. Analysts warn this could force constitutional changes or even dissolution of parliament.
Shops reopened in Kathmandu on Friday and streets showed signs of normalcy, though families continued to collect bodies of loved ones killed in the violence.
Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire confirmed that the dead included 21 protesters, nine prisoners, three police officers, and 18 others. More than 1,300 people have been injured since demonstrations erupted over corruption, poor governance, and a government social media ban.
The turmoil has triggered a leadership crisis, with former Chief Justice Sushila Karki expected to be named interim prime minister in a bid to calm tensions. A constitutional expert told Reuters the decision could be finalized later on Friday after meetings between President Ramchandra Paudel, army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, Karki, and protest leaders.
Nepal’s army imposed a curfew after protesters torched parliament on Tuesday, prompting Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Security forces say they have recovered more than 100 looted weapons, while Indian border troops have detained fugitives attempting to cross the frontier.
Karki, seen as a corruption critic, has support from “Gen Z” protesters driving the movement, but her appointment faces questions since she is not a sitting member of parliament. Analysts warn this could force constitutional changes or even dissolution of parliament.
Shops reopened in Kathmandu on Friday and streets showed signs of normalcy, though families continued to collect bodies of loved ones killed in the violence.
