Curfew re-imposed in Nepal's Bara district after flare-ups between Gen Z, loyalists
Credit: Reuters photo
Clashes have erupted between Nepal's young activists and loyalists of the former ruling party that was overthrown in an uprising in September propelling the Prime Minister Sushila Karki to appeal for calm, reports news agency AFP.
Scuffles broke out after Gen Z members and supporters of ousted former prime minister KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) both held rallies in Simara, a town in Nepal's southern Bara district, on Wednesday.
Though calm did return to Simara but the curfew-was re-imposed till 8pm on Thursday due the continuous tensions and flare-ups between the 2 rival camps.
The former chief justice who was appointed interim prime minister, called on all parties to "refrain from unwanted political provocation", and to trust the democratic process ahead of elections set for March 5, 2026.
"I have directed the Home Administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order," Karki said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.
She said she wanted to "ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties, and create a fair and fear-free environment for the elections".
In September, at least 76 people were killed during demonstrations that were triggered by anger over a brief government ban on social media and led by protesters under the loose "Gen Z" umbrella title.
The root-cause for the September protests came from years of economic stagnation and entrenched corruption.
Parliament, courts and government offices were torched before four-time premier Oli, 73, was ousted.
Karki, also 73, was appointed interim prime minister to lead the Himalayan nation to the polls.