Nepal’s Harvest of Anger and Riots: Dead and Prisoners on the Run

At least 51 people have been killed this week during protests in Nepal, while more than 12,000 prisoners remain on the run, in a wave of anger and unrest that has toppled the government.

On Friday, police spokesman Binod Ghimire told Agence France-Presse: “At least 51 people have been killed this week in the unrest, including 21 demonstrators and three police officers.”

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He added: “Around 13,500 inmates escaped; some have been recaptured, but 12,533 are still at large.”

The riots, the deadliest since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, began on Monday when police opened fire on young demonstrators, leaving at least 19 dead and hundreds injured, according to police figures.

The next day, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who had been in office since 2024, restored access to Facebook, X, and YouTube, and promised an investigation into police violence, before announcing his resignation.

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Throughout Tuesday, young people looted and vandalized numerous public offices as well as the homes of political leaders and other symbols of authority in Kathmandu.

Both the Parliament building and the residence of the resigned Prime Minister were set ablaze.

By Tuesday evening, the army had taken control of the capital, where a curfew was imposed.

Army Chief of Staff, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, initiated talks with representatives of the demonstrators, with the aim of forming a transitional government.

The name of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki, 73, has been put forward to head such a government, though she does not enjoy consensus among the protesters.

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