KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Grieving families of protesters killed by police during violent protests in Nepal this week gathered in the capital on Thursday, expressing anger at authorities and seeking information about their missing loved ones.
Families held a candlelight vigil outside a hospital morgue in Kathmandu and announced plans to meet with Nepal army officials to seek justice.
Earlier on Thursday, hundreds of people crowded Nepal’s main airport in Kathmandu to get a flight out of the country, as confusion set in over who governs the Himalayan nation after violent protests toppled the country’s government.
The Health Ministry said that 34 people were killed and 1,368 wounded in protests on Monday and Tuesday. They were sparked by a short-lived social media ban and fueled by broader discontent over corruption and unemployment.
Nepal’s army took control of the capital Tuesday night after two days of huge protests that left the presidential residence and government buildings in flames and forced the prime minister to resign and flee.
The toll of the dead and wounded has been rising as reports on casualties trickled in from other parts of the country.
“We need to fight for justice for our family who were killed and we cannot stay silent any longer,” said Kamal Subedi, one of those at the vigil. He said his nephew was killed.
“We have lost our loved ones but politics seem to take priority right and no one has even approached us, so now we going to fight for justice for the honor they deserve.”
Protesters said they are demanding state honors for their loved ones and are not interested in monetary compensation.
Bhol Bahadur Bishwokarma was seeking information about his brother, Santosh Bishwokarma, who was killed by police fire.
“We have heard that the body is in the hospital morgue here but no one has confirmed that or in what condition and shape the body is in. We have not even been able to see the body. We demand the government address our concern at the earliest," he said.
In the capital, residents rushed to buy food staples like rice, vegetables and meat early Thursday, when the army briefly lifted a curfew. Armed soldiers were guarding the streets, checking vehicles and offering assistance to those in need.
Many tried to leave the country after the airport reopened late Wednesday and international flights resumed Thursday.
“It was very difficult time for us. We had trouble just to get to airport and back to hotel hoping for flights but finally I have found a seat and am going to be flying out of Nepal,” said Raj Kumar Bika, a chicken farmer who was trying to get to New Delhi for business.
The last day of the key Indra Jatra festival was also shortened by the organizers cancelling the chariot process of the living goddess in the heart of Kathmandu. A few hundred devotees were allowed in the old palace courtyards but the living goddess was not taken out of her palace temple.
It remained unclear who would take control of the government as the search for an interim leader continued.
Nepalis wonder who's in charge
When the protests prompted Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign Tuesday, the country’s ceremonial President Ram Chandra Poudel asked him to lead a transitional government until a new one could be put in place. But Oli fled from his official residence, and his whereabouts were not clear.
Residents of the capital were left wondering who was in charge. "I feel there should be an election soonest and new leaders who are able to work for the country should be elected,” said Sanu Bohara, a shop owner. “After all this what we need is peace. I feel there should not have been so much destruction, but that has already happened.”
Anup Keshar Thapa, a retired government officer who was looking at the charred official residences of ministers, said it was not clear who would lead the country and if people would actually listen to them. “If the protests had gone in an organized way, it would be clear who was leading," he said.
Protest leaders met with military officials at the army headquarters in Kathmandu on Wednesday to discuss a transitional leader.
Rehan Raj Dangal, a representative of the protesters, said his group proposed to military leaders that Sushila Karki, a popular former chief justice, should head an interim government. Karki was the only woman to serve as chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court. Other protesters opposed her appointment.
Anger at social media ban triggered protests
Demonstrations by thousands of protesters were sparked Monday by a short-lived government ban on social media platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube, which the government said had failed to register with authorities and submit to oversight.
Officers opened fire on protesters, and the clashes escalated Tuesday with attacks on government buildings.
The social media ban was lifted on Tuesday, but the demonstrations continued, fueled by rage over the deaths of some 34 protesters blamed on police.
The protests also spiraled to reflect broader discontent. Many young people are angry about “nepo kids” of political leaders who seem to enjoy luxurious lifestyles and numerous advantages while most youth struggle to find work.
Protesters set fires at the parliament building, the presidential residence, the central secretariat that houses the offices of the prime minister and key ministries, and the prime minister’s official residence.
The building of Kantipur publication, Nepal’s biggest media outlet, also was torched and damaged. Car showrooms were also targeted, and burned-out vehicles dotted the streets.
“We are compelled to go abroad because there is no future for people like us in Nepal,” said Asmita Poudel, who was waiting to board a flight to Dubai. “If there were opportunities, we would all stay back in the country.”
The military takes control
The military is rarely mobilized in Nepal, and soldiers initially stayed in their barracks as police lost control of the situation. Security forces started to mobilize late Tuesday, saying they were committed to preserving law and order.
On Wednesday, soldiers quelled a jailbreak in the heart of Kathmandu. Inmates at the main jail had overpowered guards, set fire to buildings and tried to escape. Soldiers fired into the air, apprehended the escaping inmates and transferred them to other jails. No injuries were reported.