Prime Minister Sushila Karki declared that individuals involved in the violence and destruction during last week’s anti-government protests in Nepal would be held accountable. Furthermore, she announced that those who died during the Gen-Z protests would be recognized as martyrs, and their families would receive 10 lakh Nepalese rupees each.
Karki, 73, began her term at the newly constructed Home Ministry building within the Singh Durbar Secretariat in Kathmandu. She was appointed acting Prime Minister by President Ramchandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Gen-Z group. This group had successfully overthrown the K.P. Sharma Oli government after a two-day protest that concluded on Tuesday.
President Paudel, acting on the Prime Minister’s advice, has appointed Kulman Ghising, Rameshwar Khanal, and Om Prakash Aryal as ministers. Ghising will oversee Energy, Urban Development, and Road and Transport; Khanal will handle Finance, and Aryal will lead the Home Ministry. The ministers will be sworn in at the President’s office today.
The government relocated the Prime Minister’s office to the newly built Home Ministry building within the Singh Durbar complex following the arson at the Prime Minister’s office during the violent protests. Addressing a meeting of secretaries and senior government officials after taking office, Prime Minister Karki stated that those involved in the violence and the destruction of public and private property would face justice.
Referring to the events of September 9, Karki stated that the arson and vandalism were pre-planned, and the Gen-Z protesters were not involved. She indicated that the arson and destruction were a criminal act, carefully planned, and that those responsible should be punished.
Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal was instructed to arrange for the repair of damaged police stations across the country. The protests, which started last Monday on social media in response to government restrictions, rapidly evolved into a broader movement, reflecting public anger over corruption and the perceived apathy of the political class.
K.P. Sharma Oli resigned following the entry of protestors into his office, who demanded his resignation due to the deaths of at least 19 people from police actions during the protests. Chief Secretary Aryal reported that the death toll from the protests reached 72, including three police officers, 59 protesters, and 10 prisoners.