Nepal PM Oli quits as protests spiral; army, security agencies call for dialogue

Highlights:

• Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigns 
• Nepali Army evacuates ministers by helicopter
• All flights at Kathmandu's airport suspended
• Protesters set fire to Oli's private residence in Balkot
• Nineteen people were killed in Monday's protests

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned today (9 September), his aide said, as anti-corruption demonstrators defied an indefinite curfew and clashed with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.

"The PM has quit," Oli's aide Prakash Silwal told Reuters, a move that plunges the country into fresh political uncertainty.

Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel has formally accepted Oli's resignation, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, the Nepali Army, other security agencies, chief secretary and home secretary have jointly appealed for political dialogue to resolve the escalating crisis sparked after the Gen Z protests, reports The Kathmandu Post.

The appeal comes as demonstrators set fire to the federal parliament, Singha Durbar premises, Supreme Court, political party offices, and homes of senior leaders today.

Security officials warned that unless the political leadership engages in constructive dialogue, the violence could spiral further.

Demonstrators shout slogans as they gather to protest against the killing of 19 people after anti-corruption protests triggered by a social media ban, which was later lifted, during a curfew in Kathmandu, Nepal, 9 September 2025. Photo: Reuters

Oli's government lifted the social media ban after protests turned violent, killing 19 and injuring more than 100 after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters trying to storm parliament yesterday.

Meanwhile, as nationwide protests intensified, the Nepali Army moved to evacuate ministers from their Bhaisepati residences using helicopters following repeated arson attacks and vandalism targeting officials' homes, according to The Kathmandu Post.

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Senior security officials said troops had been deployed to protect the parliament building, while top-ranking officials were being sheltered at military barracks for safety. 

Earlier in the day, Oli's private houses on a compound in Balkot, Bhaktapur, were set ablaze this morning and Gen Z demonstrators clashed with security forces, with two more ministers tendering their resignations.

Officials reported that protesters gathered outside Oli's residence early in the day and tried to breach security, reports The Kathmandu Post.

According to them, despite police efforts to control the crowd, the protesters refused to disperse and ultimately set fire to the two houses within the compound.

Nepal Army soldiers patrol a road during a curfew following anti-corruption protests that were triggered by a social media ban which was later lifted, in Kathmandu, Nepal, 9 September 2025. Photo: Reuters

The unrest is the worst in decades in the Himalayan country that is wedged between India and China and has struggled with political instability and economic uncertainty since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008, reports Reuters.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Oli had called a meeting of all political parties, saying violence is not in the interest of the nation and "we have to resort to peaceful dialogue to find solutions to any problem".

But anger against the government showed no signs of abating, as protesters gathered in front of parliament and other places in the capital Kathmandu, in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed by authorities.

The protesters set fire to tyres on some roads, threw stones at police personnel in riot gear and chased them through narrow streets, while some looked on and shot videos of the clashes on their mobile phones as thick black smoke rose to the sky.

Hundreds of people from some towns located near the India-Nepal border had started marching towards Kathmandu to support the protesters, one of the protesters told Reuters by phone.

Witnesses also said that protesters were setting fire to the homes of some politicians in Kathmandu, and local media reported that some ministers had been plucked to safety by military helicopters.

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"We are still standing here for our future ... We want this country corruption-free so that everyone can easily access education, hospitals, medical (facilities) ... and for a bright future," protester Robin Sreshtha told Reuters TV.

Arrival of planes from the southern side at Kathmandu airport, Nepal's main international gateway, was closed because of poor visibility due to the smoke from fires set by protesters in areas nearby, aviation authority official Gyanendra Bhul said.

Organisers of the protests, which spread to other cities in the Himalayan country, have called them "demonstrations by Gen Z," driven by young people's widespread frustration with the government's perceived lack of action to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities.

Demonstrators burn furniture and a police booth outside Nepali Congress party office during a protest against the killing of 19 people, after anti-corruption protests triggered by a social media ban, which was later lifted, during a curfew in Kathmandu, Nepal, 9 September 2025. Photo: Reuters

All flights suspended at Tribhuvan International Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has cancelled all flights today, citing serious security concerns and unprecedented circumstances. The airport authorities apologised for the disruption, reports The Kathmandu Post.

International flights have been suspended since 12:45pm following reports of smoke near Koteshwar, according to Hansa Raj Pandey, TIA's general manager. "The airport is not closed. We won't close it either," he added.

Protesters attack leaders' residences

The demonstrations extended to the homes of several political figures across Kathmandu Valley and other districts, as protesters threw stones and torched properties in targeted attacks, according to The Kathmandu Post.

The residence of Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung in Lalitpur was set on fire, while stones were hurled at the Bhaisepati home of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel. 

Former home minister Ramesh Lekhak's residence, who resigned yesterday, was also attacked.

Demonstrators also targeted the Bhaisepati residence of Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Biswo Paudel and attempted to reach former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba's house in Budhanilkantha, though they were prevented from attacking it. 

Protesters also hurled stones at the Khumaltar residence of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the CPN (Maoist Centre) chair and the main opposition leader.

Protesters additionally set fire to the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa, intensifying nationwide unrest.

Smoke rises during a protest against the killing of 19 people after anti-corruption protests triggered by a social media ban, which was later lifted, during a curfew in Kathmandu, Nepal, 9 September 2025. Photo: Reuters

More ministers resign

Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav of the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) resigned, citing the government's violent suppression of youth protests. 

Nepal home minister resigns amid 'Gen Z' protests over social media ban, corruption

He said he could not continue in office following the loss of young lives and the state's use of force.

Similarly, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari stepped down, criticising the government for suppressing citizens' right to peaceful protest.

Previously, Nepal's Ramesh Lekhak resigned as home minister yesterday, tendering his resignation to Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar, reports The Kathmandu Post.