Nepal Protests Escalate as Gen Z Drives Pressure; PM Resigns

(KATHMANDU) Nepal entered a dangerous new phase on Tuesday as youth-led protests over corruption and censorship swelled into nationwide unrest, Prime Minister Resigns, and authorities shut down all airports, including Tribhuvan International Airport, amid sweeping curfews and an army deployment. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, 2025, after two days of deadly clashes that left at least 19–22 people dead and hundreds injured, according to officials and hospital reports cited by local media. The government confirmed that all domestic and international flights are suspended, and security forces have been stationed at the country’s main aviation facilities to prevent further attacks or incursions.

Oli said he was stepping down to “open space for a political solution,” expressing sorrow for the deaths while accusing “vested interest groups” of fueling violence. At least five cabinet ministers—among them Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari—also resigned, citing “moral responsibility” for the bloodshed. The resignations followed a week of fast-moving events triggered by the government’s September 4 social media ban on 26 platforms, which ignited protests led largely by Gen Z Nepalis frustrated by corruption, nepotism, and widening inequality. With the ban now lifted, the crowds have not dispersed, arguing that restoring access is not enough without deeper accountability.

Hospitals in Kathmandu reported a sharp influx of casualties after police fired live rounds, rubber bullets, and tear gas on September 8–9 in efforts to keep demonstrators away from government buildings. Protesters, who have no single leader or party banner, set fire to parts of the parliament building and targeted the homes of senior political figures across the spectrum, including the residences of the president and former prime ministers, as well as party headquarters. The capital’s streets remained tense Tuesday night, with checkpoints, armored vehicles, and burned barricades visible along major roads.

Impact on Travel and Consular Services

The most immediate shock for international travelers is the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal’s main gateway, and the suspension of all flights nationwide. Major carriers—such as IndiGo and Air India—halted operations, and airlines urged passengers to pursue refunds or rebooking through official channels.

• The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal advised travelers to rely on official notices for status updates.
• For authoritative aviation and airport guidance, consult the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal for notices and public advisories.
• Airlines warned that even if curfews ease, flights will not resume until aviation security teams clear runways and terminals and confirm safe operating conditions.

For foreign nationals inside Nepal, embassy hotlines were activated to provide safety guidance and to track citizens in affected areas. Many embassies recommended:

• Staying indoors and following curfew orders
• Avoiding government complexes, police posts, and known protest zones
• Monitoring official pages and emergency feeds for real-time alerts

With mobile internet accessible again after the lifting of the social media ban, consular teams urged visitors and residents to monitor official channels. Tourist vehicles have limited permission to move in certain areas, but local authorities warned that conditions can change quickly and checkpoints may block routes without notice.

Travel agents in Kathmandu reported widespread cancellations across trekking and cultural tour itineraries. While several mountain and trekking regions remained calm and open to tourist vehicles in some cases, disruption in the capital has choked logistics, making it hard to reposition guides, drivers, and supplies.

• Insurance providers advised clients to:
  • Maintain contact with their carriers
  • Keep receipts for unexpected costs
  • Confirm that policies cover civil unrest
• VisaVerge.com recommends travelers:
  • Keep photocopies of passports, visas, and entry stamps on their person
  • Share digital copies with family or consular contacts in case of sudden evacuations or lost documents

Recommended actions for travelers and residents

1. Check your airline’s advisory pages for refund or rebooking procedures.
2. Contact your embassy for safety guidance and emergency assistance.
3. Monitor official channels for airport and road updates, and avoid protest areas.
4. Respect all curfews and instructions from security forces, and carry identification.
5. If you are in Nepal long term, register with your embassy and confirm updated contact details.

Political Fallout and Security Measures

The political vacuum left by Oli’s resignation adds fresh uncertainty. Nepal’s 275-seat parliament requires 138 seats for a working majority. The opposition Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre could seek to assemble a coalition, but internal disagreements, along with the rise of the youth-backed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and independent figures, complicate arithmetic and agenda-setting.

Analysts said an interim arrangement is likely while parties negotiate, yet any government perceived as defensive of the old order may find little patience from protesters demanding a break from dynastic politics.

• Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel announced a nationwide mobilization from 10 p.m. on September 9 to stabilize key infrastructure and stop arson attacks, urging demonstrators to join talks.
• Curfews and emergency restrictions remained in place in Kathmandu, Birgunj, Dang district, and Pokhara, among other locations.
• Local authorities emphasized curfews are indefinite for now; movement without explicit clearance could trigger immediate detention.
• Police and community volunteers continued clearing debris around ministries and courts to allow essential services to function, even at reduced levels.

The protests initially surged around the government’s rules requiring social media platforms to register locally. When companies did not comply, the state moved to block platforms. Youth groups denounced the ban as a violation of speech and organizing rights and used the viral #NepoKids hashtag to highlight what they describe as unjust privilege—politicians’ children flaunting wealth and connections while many young Nepalis face unemployment and rising prices.

• Restoring social media access has not calmed the streets; demonstrators insist on transparent investigations into alleged graft and better oversight of public spending.
• Protest demands include:
  • Clearer rules on public procurement
  • Stricter conflict-of-interest laws
  • Meaningful youth representation in decision-making bodies

Transparency International has found that a large share of the population considers corruption a major problem, a sentiment echoed nightly in slogans across Kathmandu’s main squares. Protesters also point to the uneven pace of post-pandemic recovery and complain that promised reforms have not materialized.

Human and Social Impact

For families, the fear is immediate. Parents lined hospital corridors for news of injured sons and daughters. Shopkeepers pulled down shutters early, worried about stray clashes spreading into neighborhoods that stayed calm during earlier cycles of unrest.

• Schools and universities in several cities postponed classes, citing safety risks and transport shutdowns.
• Local journalists reported interruptions to newsroom operations and difficulty verifying rumors in real time.
• Official advisories and embassy alerts gained prominence as verified sources, despite sometimes lagging behind social feeds.

From a mobility and operational standpoint:

• Foreign workers and students planning to arrive this week face deferrals while flights remain grounded.
• Incoming expatriate staff for development projects were told to delay travel until security improves.
• Companies with staff rotations in Nepal are reviewing duty-of-care policies, setting up check-ins, and confirming shelter-in-place plans.
• Consular sections may adjust service hours as curfews shift; applicants should prepare for postponed appointments and keep confirmation emails for future rescheduling without extra fees.

International observers expressed concern about the use of live ammunition in crowd control and urged rapid talks to prevent further casualties. Several rights groups warned that prolonged airport closures risk isolating communities that depend on air links for medical care and essential supplies.

Aviation planners cautioned that restoring full operations at Tribhuvan International Airport will take time even after curfews lift: security sweeps, equipment checks, crew availability, and air traffic coordination must align before airlines publish reliable schedules. Expect staggered resumptions and frequent time changes.

Political Alignments and Next Steps

Political figures have begun to test new alignments. The Kathmandu mayor, Balendra Shah—popular among younger voters—has drawn attention as a possible bridge between street demands and institutional politics, though he has not announced any national bid.

Party elders have floated caretaker options to stabilize ministries and restart basic services. Any interim authority will face an early test: whether it can calm the streets while mapping a credible anti-corruption plan that satisfies a generation tired of waiting.

For now, officials have one clear message: stay off the streets after dark, keep documents handy, and avoid government zones. Practical advice for the coming days:

• Travelers: hold on bookings, expect refunds to take time, and watch airline and embassy channels closely.
• Residents and families: plan for short-notice supply runs and medication needs to reduce risks during sudden closures.
• Young protesters: the coming days will show whether a political reset is possible without more loss of life.

Key takeaway: The situation remains fluid and potentially dangerous. Follow embassy guidance, official aviation notices at https://www.caanepal.gov.np, and local advisories.