Civil disturbance in Nepal escalates, claiming 72 lives, as a new political figure is inaugurated
In a historic first, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as Nepal's interim prime minister on Sunday, following the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Tuesday. The violence that erupted during the anti-corruption protests in Nepal last week has claimed the lives of 72 people and left at least 2,113 injured.
Karki, who began working in an office near the prime minister's headquarters, issued a statement on state television, pledging free medical treatment for the injured and compensation of 1 million rupees to the families of those killed. She also emphasised the need to rebuild the destroyed structures, but did not specify a timeline for the rebuilding process.
The unrest, the deadliest in Nepal for decades, occurred mainly in Kathmandu and other cities. State buildings, including the Supreme Court, parliament, police posts, and politicians' homes were torched during the violence. The homes of leading politicians, including former Prime Minister Sharma Oli, were set on fire, and the wife of a former prime minister was killed when her house was attacked. Additionally, Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was attacked during the protests.
As Karki's office is in close proximity to the site of the unrest, bodies are still being discovered from government offices, homes, and shops that were set ablaze during the protests. The death toll and injury count are expected to rise as the recovery efforts continue.
Karki has been tasked with holding parliamentary elections on 5 March. With the country in a state of turmoil, it remains to be seen how she will navigate this challenging situation and restore peace and order in Nepal. The compensation and medical treatment promises are yet to be implemented, and there is a growing sense of unease among the citizens as they await the government's response to the crisis.
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