Nepal's army imposes curfew to stem chaos that leaves 25 dead

The Nepalese Army , which has assumed control of the country's security, announced on Wednesday the extension of the nationwide curfew until Thursday, following a violent wave of protests that has already left 25 dead and forced the government to resign.

In a statement, the armed forces described the measure as "necessary to safeguard peace and security ," reported the Nepalese newspaper The Kathmandu Post . The army has also expressed its willingness to facilitate talks between the parties to seek a political solution to the crisis, but "warned that any protest involving vandalism, looting, arson, or attacks will be treated as a criminal act ."

Nepal remains under a state of high tension this Wednesday following violent unrest, initially led by the so-called "Generation Z" movement, which yesterday forced the resignation of Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli .

The spark was an unpopular government ban on 26 social media platforms , but the fuel was a deep, pent-up frustration with systemic corruption , nepotism, symbolized by viral campaigns against “Nepo Kids” (children of the elite), and a political class that has alternated in power for decades.

The crisis escalated dramatically on Tuesday with the storming and burning of Parliament and coordinated attacks on the homes of several political leaders. Authorities have so far reported the deaths of 25 people in the protests, including Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar , wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal .

Chitrakar died yesterday from severe burns after protesters set fire to her home with her inside, an act that shocked the nation.

Kathmandu International Airport , Nepal's main gateway to the world, will remain closed to both domestic and international flights, effectively isolating the country.

Violence in prisons

At least five people have died in a riot at a prison complex in western Nepal , bringing the total death toll from the violence rocking the country to 30 , as protests continued sporadically overnight despite the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

The incident occurred at a prison and juvenile correctional facility in the region, where 149 inmates and 76 minors attempted a mass escape. Armed police opened fire to control the situation, killing five people and wounding seven others, according to The Kathmandu Post .

Tuesday's violence also included mass jailbreaks at other prisons, with an official estimate of 1,500 escapees nationwide.