The unrest intensified after Nepal’s Prime Minister resigned earlier in the day. (Photo: Reuters)
On Tuesday, protesters in Nepal set fire to the Parliament building in Kathmandu as demonstrations against the government turned violent. Videos of the fire quickly went viral on social media.
The unrest intensified after Nepal’s Prime Minister resigned earlier in the day. He faced massive protests over corruption allegations, unemployment, and rising frustration among young people.
The Indian government issued an advisory on Tuesday for its citizens living or traveling in Nepal. Officials urged Indians to stay indoors and avoid moving out until the situation stabilizes.
“In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets, and exercise all due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu," the statement read.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu shared emergency helpline numbers for assistance. Citizens in Nepal can use these numbers during any crisis:
The embassy confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals.
The United Nations also expressed concern over the violent clashes. UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric urged the Nepalese authorities to respect the rights of peaceful protestors.
"The United Nations is obviously following the situation with a lot of concern. It's critical that the authorities, the government, protect and respect the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. I think security forces, as our High Commissioner for Human Rights said, must comply with the basic principles on the use of force," the statement read.
With protests escalating, the India-Nepal border at Panitanki in Darjeeling, West Bengal, has been put on high alert. Superintendent of Police (SP) Praveen Parkash confirmed that security has been tightened.
"A police post has been set up here at the round-up with deployment of force. We are in alert mode and monitoring the situation with the help of security agencies and the Nepal police. There's no information about anyone being stuck. The police have heightened patrolling at the border area," the SP told ANI.
The violent protests highlight growing anger among Nepal’s youth against corruption and government decisions. With the Prime Minister stepping down and demonstrators defying restrictions, Nepal faces one of its most serious political crises in recent years.
