Protests against corruption leave Nepal in grief as casualties mount
In the heart of Kathmandu, the streets were quieter on Wednesday due to a public holiday declared in honor of the victims of the recent protests. The interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice, has been tasked with restoring order and addressing protester demands for a corruption-free future ahead of elections in six months.
The unrest began on September 8, fueled by anger at corruption and long-standing economic woes, as well as a short-lived ban on social media. Lokesh Tamang, a 17-year-old shopkeeper, kept his store open hoping for business, but the city was anything but usual. The protests escalated, leading to nationwide outbursts of rage, with government offices, a Hilton Hotel, and other buildings set on fire.
The violence was intense, as recalled by Tamang. At least 19 people were killed in a crackdown on the first day of the protests. The death toll has since risen to 73, including police officers and prisoners who staged a mass breakout. Hami Nepal, a key organization in the protests, posted on social media that the changes being witnessed would not be possible without the courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives during the protests.
The streets were filled with mourning on this day of remembrance. Shopkeeper Pooja Shrestha, 22, stated that the day would bring people together, as everyone is sad about the loss of lives. Candlelit vigils will be held to honour the victims. Prime Minister Karki has declared the victims of the protests as martyrs and has promised state honors at their cremations.
The World Bank reports that a fifth of people in Nepal aged 15-24 are unemployed, and the GDP per capita is just $1,447. The anger over the deaths escalated, leading to the unrest. Lokesh Tamang expressed his hope that the future would not see a repeat of the violence and deaths that occurred during the protests. Shrestha also expressed hope that the new government will bring the changes needed by the people.
In a positive note, more than a third of the 13,500 prisoners who escaped from two dozen jails during the protests have been recaptured or surrendered themselves. Approximately 5,000 prisoners who had absconded have returned to the prisons. As Nepal moves forward, the hope is that the new government will address the root causes of the unrest and bring about the change that the people so desperately seek.
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