Nepal Ex-PM’s Wife Dies in Protest-Fueled Blaze
Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of Nepal’s former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, tragically died after protesters set their home ablaze in Kathmandu’s Dallu area.
She suffered severe burns and was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The incident occurred amid escalating anti-government protests led primarily by Gen-Z activists, sparked by a now-lifted ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The protests, which began as a response to the Government’s decision to ban social media platforms citing concerns over misinformation and regulatory compliance, have turned violent, claiming at least 19 lives and injuring over 500 people.
Demonstrators have targeted Government buildings and residences of top Politicians, including the Parliament Building and the President’s Office.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned, paving the way for a constitutional solution to the crisis.
President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged citizens to pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis through dialogue.
The situation in Nepal remains volatile, with concerns growing over the potential for further violence and instability.
The United Nations has called for a transparent investigation into the use of force by security personnel.
Neighboring countries, including India, have issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to exercise caution and avoid public areas in Nepal.
In response to the nationwide outcry, President Paudel has called for calm and dialogue to resolve the crisis.
“I urge all sides to remain calm, prevent further harm to the nation, and come to the table for talks”.
“In a democracy, the demands raised by citizens can be addressed through dialogue and negotiation,” he said in a statement.
Despite curfews imposed in several cities, the movement continues to gather momentum, with protesters demanding accountability in governance, an end to institutional corruption, and the immediate reversal of the social media ban.
