How Nepal protesters torch KP Sharma Oli's home, vandalise President Poudel's residence

Protesters in Nepal on Tuesday (9 September) set fire to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's private residence in Balkot and vandalised the home of President Ram Chandra Poudel, as demonstrations over Monday's deadly clashes and social media restrictions intensified.

Demonstrators stormed Poudel's Bohoratpur residence, throwing his portrait down the staircase inside the house. In Balkot, Oli's private home was torched while he remained at the official Prime Minister's residence in Balwatar, reports The Times of India.

Demonstrators gather to protest against Monday's killing of 19 people after anti-corruption protests that were triggered by a social media ban which was later lifted, during a curfew in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 9, 2025. Photo: Reuters

The protests also targeted other political figures.

The central office of the Nepali Congress party in Sanepa was set ablaze, while former home minister Ramesh Lekhak's residence in Naikap, Kathmandu, was also torched. Protesters pelted stones at the home of Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung in Lalitpur's Sunakothi after he ordered a ban on social media platforms. Several other leaders' residences and offices came under similar attacks.

The violence erupted a day after 19 young demonstrators were killed during clashes with security forces.

The unrest followed the government's sudden decision to block access to major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, X, and Tencent-owned apps. Authorities defended the ban, citing new regulations requiring platforms to register in Nepal to curb fake accounts, hate speech, and online crimes.

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

However, in a late-night move on Monday, the government restored access to social media platforms in an attempt to calm public anger. Despite this, protests entered their second day, spreading beyond Kathmandu as demonstrators demanded Oli's resignation and targeted political leaders' homes and offices nationwide.

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

Amid escalating tensions, Prime Minister Oli appealed for calm, announcing an all-party meeting at 6pm Tuesday.

Nepal lifts social media ban after anti-corruption protests leave 19 dead, curfew imposed

"I am in dialogue with the relevant parties to assess the situation and find a meaningful conclusion. For that, I have also called an all-party meeting at 6 pm today. I humbly request all brothers and sisters to remain calm in this difficult situation," he said.