Widespread Damage to Bhatbhateni and Chaudhary Group Properties During Gen Z Protests

Violent demonstrations by the Gen Z movement on September 9 have caused extensive losses to business and commercial properties, with Bhatbhateni Supermarket and Chaudhary Group among the hardest hit.

The unrest escalated after security forces opened fire on protesters opposing social media restrictions and corruption on September 8, killing 19 people. The following day, demonstrators vandalized and set fire to parliament building and Singha Durbar, before targeting key business hubs.

According to Bhatbhateni Chief Operating Officer Panu Datta Poudel, 21 of the retail chain’s 27 outlets were attacked, with 12 completely destroyed by fire. Branches in Kathmandu Valley at Boudha (Chucchepati), Naxal, Koteshwor, Maharajgunj, and a storage center in Baluwatar were set ablaze, while outlets in Pokhara, Chitwan, Hetauda, Birtamod, Damak, Biratnagar, and Dharan also suffered arson. An additional nine stores were looted and vandalized.

Poudel noted that some fires raged for up to 15 hours, likely requiring full reconstruction. He said a detailed assessment of both fire and looting damage would take several more days.

Chaudhary Group (CG) reported that its Satungal-based CG Net data center and electronics assembly factory were completely destroyed, disrupting internet services nationwide. A senior executive confirmed that Chairman Binod Chaudhary’s residence, the group’s Sanepa headquarters, the Thapathali motor showroom, and the CG Landmark Mall in Chitwan were also attacked, looted, and set on fire.

“The extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed,” the executive said. “It may take decades to recover.”

The Lainchaur head office of telecom operator Ncell was also vandalized and partially burned, according to a company official. While no staff was present at the time, administrative property suffered damage. Loss evaluations are ongoing.

Economic Concerns

Economists have criticized the government for failing to anticipate and prevent large-scale destruction of private property, despite lessons from past unrest. They warn that such attacks will discourage domestic investors and further weaken the prospects for foreign investment.

“Investment flows only to countries with secure, business-friendly environments,” economist Deependra Chaulagain said. “The failure to protect businesses or provide emergency response puts Nepal’s economic future at greater risk. Informal investment will likely rise, narrowing the government’s tax base.”