Protests in Nepal have intensified, with demonstrators taking to the streets, setting buildings on fire and damaging infrastructure. Among the structures burned was former Nepal Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal’s residence.
On September 10, protestors ignited the former PM’s home in Dallu. He narrowly escaped, but his wife, Ravi Laxmi Chitrakar, was still inside.
Following the incident, numerous media outlets reported her death due to the fire. The news rapidly spread online, with social media amplifying the report without verification.
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In a BBC News Nepali interview on September 11, the former PM confirmed his wife was alive but in critical condition, revealing she was on a ventilator. Khanal explained the events of that day and noted that those who set the fire were aged 40-45, not the ‘Gen Z’ youth leading the movement.
Nepal, home to 30 million people, descended into chaos as security forces attempted to suppress rallies by young anti-corruption protesters, leading to widespread violence on Tuesday.
At least 51 people have died in the worst violence since the end of the Maoist civil war and monarchy abolition in 2008.
The military regained control of the streets on Wednesday, imposing a curfew. Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and President Ramchandra Paudel held discussions with key figures and ‘Gen Z’ representatives, the youth protest movement’s informal group.
(With inputs from AFP)
