Normalcy Returning to Kathmandu Valley after Deadly Protests

The Kathmandu Valley appeared to be returning to normal on Wednesday, a day after violent protests left several people dead and public property vandalized. With a heavy deployment of security personnel, including the Nepali Army, no fresh incidents of unrest were reported in the Valley, according to the state-run national news agency RSS.

The Army has urged residents to remain indoors except for essential needs. Streets were largely deserted on Wednesday morning, with only limited movement of people and vehicles. Security personnel were also engaged in extinguishing fires set at dozens of public buildings and private properties during Tuesday’s unrest.

The Nepali Army appealed to citizens to immediately report any attempts by miscreants to target public or private property, as well as historical, social, cultural, or religious sites.

The Army, in a statement issued earlier on Wednesday, said that the prohibitory order issued by the government to control the vandalism will remain in force till 5 pm on Wednesday, September 10, followed by a curfew till 6 am the next day.

Army Arrests Looters in Kathmandu Valley

The Nepali Army arrested 26 individuals involved in looting during Tuesday night, taking advantage of the unrest. According to the Directorate of Public Relations and Information, 21 people were apprehended while looting at the Bouddha area and Hotel Hyatt in Kathmandu, and at the Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Radhe Radhe, Bhaktapur.

Similarly, five others were arrested in connection with a break-in at the Rastriya Banijya Bank branch in New Baneshwar.

The Army decided to step in and maintain law and order across the country on Tuesday night after the Nepal Police failed to contain the violence.

The current situation emerged after violent protests erupted on September 8, led largely by young demonstrators, against government corruption and a ban on social media platforms. The demonstrations escalated after the police shot dead 19 people, with vandalism, arson, and attacks reported across the Valley, prompting the government to impose prohibitory orders and a curfew nationwide.