Nepal's parliament set on fire after PM resigns over anti-corruption protests

Summary

Protesters set fire to Nepal's parliament building in Kathmandu as anti-corruption protests escalate
They are dancing and chanting around fires, as all the windows have been smashed inside the building, writes BBC's Charlotte Scarr from Kathmandu
Nepal's army says it is "committed to taking control of the situation", without providing details of what this might entail
This comes after the country's prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned following the unrest
In the absence of leadership, what will happen in Nepal is anyone's guess - the priority now is to restore order, writes our Global Affairs reporter
Meanwhile, hundreds of inmates have escaped from jails in two of Nepal's western districts, officials confirm, as unrest grips the country

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Smoke rises over Kathmandu amid 'nepo kids' protests

Live Reporting

Edited by Matt Spivey and Emily Atkinson in London, with reporting from BBC Nepali, Rajneesh Bhandari and Charlotte Scarr in Kathmandu

Nepal's PM resigns after protests rage for second daypublished at 18:05 British Summer Time

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Demonstrators celebrate at Nepal's parliament complex during a protest against Monday's killing of 19 people
Anti-corruption protests escalated in Nepal's capital Kathmandu today, as government buildings were set ablaze.
The unrest was sparked by a social media ban, which has now been reversed by the government. It has now grown into a wider anti-corruption movement that took to the streets on Monday.
In total, at least 22 people have been killed in the protests and dozens more injured.
As protests raged, Nepal's prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned from his post.
Nepal's army says it is committed to taking control of the situation, but what happens next - and who will replace Oli - is still unclear.
We're pausing our live coverage now, but you can continue to follow this story across the BBC in our news story, and in this broader look at what we know.
Night falls in Nepal on second day of anti-corruption protestspublished at 17:54 British Summer Time

As night falls on Kathmandu, black smoke continues to rise from the city after a second day of anti-corruption protests.
Here are just some of the latest pictures from the ongoing unrest.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Smoke and flames rise from the Singha Durbar, which houses various Nepali ministers' offices
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Protesters are still gathering at the site of the burning parliament building in the Nepali capital
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
As fire rages inside the blackened parliament building, protesters celebrate
Nepal army to 'take control of situation' - statementpublished at 17:25 British Summer Time
Breaking

Nepal's army has issued a statement accusing protesters of taking advantage of the current crisis by damaging, looting and setting fire to public and private property.
It says that if this continues then "all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation," effective from 22:00 local time (16:15 GMT; 17:15 BST), without detailing what this might entail.
"We appeal to all citizens to support the army in this effort," it says, adding that further updates will be provided "upon assessing the situation".
Hundreds of inmates escape from Nepali jails - officialspublished at 17:14 British Summer Time
Breaking
Phanindra Dahal
BBC Nepali, Kathmandu

In an eventful day full of violent protests - including incidents of vandalism and arson at government offices - officials have confirmed two incidents of jail breaks in two of Nepal's western districts.
Kaski District police office says 773 inmates escaped from there this afternoon when the Gen Z protesters entered the premises.
Separately, the Area Police office for Tulsipur, in Nepal's Dang province, say 127 prisoners were able to escape from Tulsipur Jail.
Local media are reporting about other jail break instances which are yet to be confirmed.
Nepal's army chief invites protestors to engage in dialoguepublished at 16:41 British Summer Time
Phanindra Dahal
BBC Nepali, Kathmandu

Nepal's army chief has invited protestors to engage in dialogue to find a solution to the country’s current political crisis.
In a video message released on social media, Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel says the military was committed to safeguarding national unity and territorial integrity.
He says there has been huge loss of life and property during the protests so far and urged demonstrators to show restraint.
"It is our common responsibility to maintain law and order, ensure national unity and not to let additional loss of life and property,” he says.
He describes the current situation in Nepal as "an uneasy situation" and calls for normalising tensions.
He also expresses condolences to those who have died during the ongoing protests.
From left to right, I can see fires and military helicopters circlingpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time
James Kelly
UGC Hub

British tourists caught up in the protests in Nepal have described witnessing smoke from fires billowing in the sky and military helicopters circling overhead.
Joseph Glass, 28, a carpenter from Norfolk, said when he woke up this morning, the whole of Kathmandu had been shut down.
"It’s a serious situation," Joseph tells us. "They’ve closed the international airport here, so no one can leave as far as I’m aware.
"Locals are telling us the military are taking control now. Apart from that, that’s all I know. I called the British Embassy and their advice was for me to sign up to email alerts — not very helpful when the city’s burning around you.
"There are quite a few British nationals here at this hostel we’re staying in, and we’re just sheltering in place at the moment. The protesters originally went straight to the airport to block the entrance so the ministers couldn’t escape.
"They’re out for blood. They killed children here and the locals want them gone — and not just gone from the country, gone from existence.
"It’s an incredible scene I’m looking at right now. From 180 degrees of my eyesight there are fires from left to right, with military helicopters circling."
Why, who, what? Key questions answeredpublished at 16:01 British Summer Time

Protests have escalated in Nepal during the second day of unrest. We're taking a moment to distil what has been happening.
Why are people protesting?
The demonstrations were triggered by the government's decision last week to ban 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, for failing to meet a deadline to register.
Critics accused the government of seeking to stifle an anti-corruption campaign with the ban, which was repealed on Monday night. Protesters are also channelling a more deep-rooted dissatisfaction with the country's authorities.
Who is protesting?
This protest is unlike any seen before in Nepal. The demonstrators identify as Gen Z, and the term has become a rallying symbol throughout the movement.
Students from colleges and universities across Nepal's major cities - Kathmandu, Pokhara and Itahari - have been invited to join.
What are the demands?
Their two main demands have been clear: the government lifting the ban on social media, which has now happened, and officials putting an end to what they call "corrupt practices".
What has the impact been?
Anti-corruption demonstrations have turned violent in Kathmandu, and other cities in Nepal. Police in the capital city have used force, while protesters have targeted the parliament building as well as the homes of several high-ranking politicians.
At least three people are reported to have been killed on Tuesday, bringing the total to 22 since the unrest began.
- For more on this story take a look at our explainer: Why GenZ has taken over the streets in Nepal
Nepali Army calls for restraintpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time
Phanindra Dahal
BBC Nepali, reporting from Kathmandu

The Nepali Army is urging the country’s young people to demonstrate restraint and will deliver an address to the nation later tonight.
In an earlier statement, the Nepali Army said the institution is committed to safeguarding the interest of Nepal and Nepali people.
The Army says it is closely analysing the situation and has urged protesters to not continue activities.
Earlier, President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed to the protestors - who are mostly Gen Z - to communicate and find a solution peacefully.
Death toll in Nepal protests rises to 22published at 15:36 British Summer Time
Breaking

One more person has been killed during ongoing protests in Nepal, bringing the total to 22 including 19 killed on Monday.
The director of the Civil Service Hospital tells the BBC 209 people were admitted during Tuesday's protest.
Of these, 186 have been discharged, Dipak Poudel adds.
The head of the National Trauma Centre, Dr Badri Rijal, says nearly 40 people with injuries were brought for treatment at the hospital.
Protests grip Nepal's capital - what you need to knowpublished at 15:21 British Summer Time
Asya Robins
Live reporter

Image source, EPA
Image caption,
Images show fire and smoke rising from the Singha Durbar palace, which houses government and parliament buildings
It's just gone 20:00 in Kathmandu and anti-government protests continue to grip Nepal's capital city. If you're just joining us, here's the latest:
- Protesters have stormed Nepal's federal parliament building in Kathmandu in the last few hours, with images showing fires and smoke rising from the building - here's where else has been impacted
- This comes after the country's prime minister, KP Sharma Oli resigned earlier today in response to the protests across the country
- Oli had little choice than to step down following widening protests and no sign of public anger abating, our South Asia regional editor Anbarasan Ethirajan writes
- The protests began over a social media ban, which has since been reversed by the government, but people in Nepal are still in shock after 19 people were killed on Monday and another two killed during today's protests
- Meanwhile, Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is entirely closed as protests continue to escalate
We'll continue to bring you the latest developments, stay with us.
Inside Nepal's burning parliament buildingpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time

Image caption,
Protesters have entered the parliament building in Nepal, all windows have been smashed and fires continue to rage
Image caption,
Those who have made it into the parliament building are starting fires and spray painting graffiti and slogans onto the walls
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At the entrance to the parliament building protesters continue to shout slogans, including “everyone suffers because of the prime minister”
Several locations in Kathmandu impacted by protestspublished at 15:00 British Summer Time

Image source, EPA
Image caption,
Nepal's parliament building has been set on fire, as protesters have broken in and smashed windows
In Nepal's capital Kathmandu, several locations have been targeted by anti-corruption protesters since Monday.
Fires have been started and hundreds of protesters have broken into the country's parliament building. Graffiti and anti-corruption messages are being spray painted onto the building's exterior and windows have been smashed - here's how our reporter on the ground describes the scene.
The Singha Durbar, a large complex in the city which houses Nepal's government offices, has similarly been stormed by crowds of protesters.
Located within this complex is the prime minister's office, which has also been targeted. As a reminder, prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned earlier today following the large-scale protests.
Elsewhere, Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is closed, according to the arrivals and departures board on its website.
Nepal is at a crossroads - the priority now is to restore orderpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time
Anbarasan Ethirajan
Global Affairs reporter

Image source, EPA
The protests are not only unprecedented but also reflect the widespread discontent over the political class in this Himalayan nation.
The anger against the political leaders is evident with houses of several ministers and other politicians being vandalised and set on fire.
Some leaders, including ministers, have reportedly taken refuge with the security forces.
So far, the protesters have not spelt out their demands apart from rallying under the broader anti-corruption call. The protests appear spontaneous and there seems to be no organised leadership.
Though the prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, has stepped down, there’s no immediate clarity on who will replace him or if there any other governance structure is being proposed.
With most senior politicians running for cover, there’s no one in charge. The fact that security chiefs and bureaucrats are appealing for calm indicates that political leadership has taken a back seat.
For the moment, there seems to be a power vacuum in Nepal. If there is no government or any other interim authority soon, then the are chances that the violence may take an ugly turn.
The Nepalese army is respected, and they could play a role in bringing order. While they have fought a long civil war with the Maoists they would be hesitant in managing law and order – which is essentially the job of police and other security agencies.
But someone needs to take a lead - now.
Unlike the uprisings in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, here people seem to be unhappy with all the political class and for their mismanagement of the country over the decades.
Nepal has had 14 prime ministers since 2008, when the Maoist rebels joined the mainstream, and the country became a Republic. The continuous political jockeying for power, with parties shifting alliances, has disappointed many, particularly the youth.
In the absence of any leadership or authority, what’s going to happen in Nepal is going to be anyone’s guess.
The priority now is to restore order.
Riot police and fires - verifying footage from Nepal protestspublished at 14:15 British Summer Time

By Sherie Ryder and Kumar Malhotra
We’ve been verifying footage posted online during a second day of unrest in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu.
Protesters who turned out yesterday to demonstrate against a now-lifted social media ban have returned to voice their anger over claims of corruption in the country.
In one video, from Kathmandu, riot police are seen on a street full of protesters.
Using Google Maps and Street View, we could match shop fronts and business signs in the footage to find the exact location of where it was taken - in this case close to the parliament offices.
Image source, X
Several posts showed people gathering in the grounds of Singhadurbar, the government complex in Kathmandu, where we can see fires have been set.
Putting frames from the video through a Google reverse image search confirmed none had appeared before today and therefore the footage is new.
In a third video we saw people in the grounds of the Supreme Court of Nepal where fires had been lit and rubbish strewn across the front of the building.
The video shows the court’s entrance and gate posts as well as the main building which can be seen on Google Street View.
Image source, Facebook
Smashed windows, smoke rising: The scene at Nepal's parliament buildingpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time
Charlotte Scarr
Reporting from the parliament building in Kathmandu

Hundreds of protesters have broken into Nepal’s parliament building in Kathmandu, with smoke continuing to rise from a wing of the building.
Motorbikes are circulating around the buildings’ compound, with some carrying dug up plants away from the garden and paintings from the interior.
Protesters are dancing and chanting slogans around a fire at the entrance of the building, many holding Nepal’s flag.
Some have entered the inside of the building where all the windows have been smashed. Graffiti and anti-government messages have been spray painted on the buildings exterior.
One message on the building says: “you took the wrong fight.”
Protesters storm parliament buildingpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time

Anti-corruption protesters in Nepal have breached the country's federal parliament building in Kathmandu.
Fires can be seen and smoke is rising from the building, as large crowds of protesters are gathered in the nearby vicinity.
Protesters have defied a curfew as their anger against the government following Monday's shootings has showed no signs of abating.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Demonstrators attempt to break an outer wall of the parliament complex
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Vast numbers of demonstrators stormed and set buildings on fire at Singha Durbar, where Nepal's government ministries and offices are based
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Thick black smoke can be seen rising into the capital's sky after demonstrators set the main gate of the Federal Parliament on fire
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Holding aloft a Nepalese flag, one man celebrates at the Singha Durbar office complex as smoke fills the air behind him
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
The unrest is the worst Nepal has experienced in decades
'I am hopeful Nepal will change now' - protester at Parliament buildingpublished at 13:13 British Summer Time

Muna Shreshta, 20, from Kathmandu says change in Nepal has been needed for a long time.
She is among the large crowd of people protesting outside the federal parliament building.
Corruption has been a long-term issue, she says, adding that it is "high time our nation, our prime minister, and anyone in power changes, because we need to change".
"It has happened now and we are more than happy to witness this and fight for this," she says. "I hope this change will bring something that it positive to us."
Shreshta thinks taxes paid by working people need to be used in ways that will help the country grow.
She adds that an important problem the country is facing is that young people are going abroad, seeking a better future.
"If we can make our country better, our youth can stay here," she says.
"I am hopeful that our country will change now."
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport closedpublished at 12:59 British Summer Time

Image source, Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Aiport
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is closed, according to the arrivals and departures board on its website, external.
The board currently shows no domestic or international flights scheduled to or from the airport, instead the website says "airport closed".
Earlier, we reported domestic flights had "almost come to a standstill" due to security concerns.
We're yet to hear further updates from Nepal's aviation authority, and will bring you more on this as soon as we get it.
'Caught in crossfire': British man in Kathmandu describes hotel evacuation as protests escalatepublished at 12:43 British Summer Time
James Kelly
UGC Hub

Roger Woodend, who is originally from Coleraine, Northern Ireland, but now lives in Philadelphia, says he has been told to evacuate his hotel in Kathmandu.
The 50-year-old tells us he checked in as normal and had no issues getting from Kathmandu airport to the Hilton Hotel where he was staying.
He was debating whether he would be able to go into the city, but locals told him to "wait until we see what happens later".
A few hours later Roger says the hotel put out a call telling guests to stay in their rooms, shut the windows and not to leave as a standoff between police and protesters started outside.
"The call came over the loudspeaker: 'everybody get out, evacuate, evacuate, evacuate - get out of the hotel," Roger says.
He told us he could see smoke "everywhere" around the hotel, as he rushed to the car park with his belongings but was locked in by a big metal gate.
Protesters managed to get the gate open and told him, and others in the car park, to get out. He says: "The protestors formed a clear path for us — maybe 50 to 70 people — and kept saying 'sorry, sorry, we're so sorry about this.'
"It was very scary. You hear about people getting shot yesterday, and while you’re not a target you don’t want to get caught in crossfire."
'My humanity didn’t allow me to stay at home'published at 12:12 British Summer Time
Charlotte Scarr
in Kathmandu

Image source, BBC/Charlotte Scarr
Image caption,
Rachana Sapkota is calling for "an end to the corruption"
Rachana Sapkota says she joined protesters in Kathmandu to stand up for "accountability and transparency".
"There should be an end to the corruption... We want justice for the people who died yesterday," the 35-year-old says.
"After seeing what happened yesterday, my humanity didn’t allow me to stay at home. That’s why I am here today," she said.
As a reminder, at least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured following clashes between protesters and security forces on Monday.