A curfew is in force in Simara after clashes between Gen Z protesters and former ruling party loyalists, with two arrests made
SIMARA: A curfew remains in effect for a second day in this Nepalese town following violent clashes between young activists and loyalists of the former ruling party.
District officials imposed the measure after Wednesday’s confrontations between “Gen Z” protesters and supporters of ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist.
Scuffles erupted near the airport when CPN-UML cadres allegedly attacked young demonstrators who were rallying during a party event.
“We are trying to normalise the situation and call them for a dialogue,” Bara district chief Dharmendra Kumar Mishra told AFP.
Mishra confirmed two alleged attackers have been arrested following the incidents.
Police reported no serious injuries from Wednesday’s clashes, though young protesters returned to the streets on Thursday demanding further action.
The Gen Z movement emerged from September protests initially sparked by a brief social media ban but fueled by deeper economic stagnation and corruption concerns.
Those earlier demonstrations turned deadly with at least 76 killed on September 8 and 9 when parliament, courts and government offices were torched.
The violence led to Oli’s ouster and replacement by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a former chief justice.
Karki urged all parties to “refrain from unwanted political provocation” and trust the democratic process ahead of March 2026 elections.
“I have directed the Home Administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order,” she said in a Wednesday statement.
The interim premier emphasized creating “a fair and fear-free environment for the elections” during meetings with representatives from over 110 parties.
“We want this country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision,” Karki told the gathering. – AFP
