72 Dead In Nepal Protests, Victims Declared 'Martyrs', Families To Get Relief
Sushila Karki formally assumed office as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal on Sunday, declaring those killed during the Gen Z protests as "martyrs" and announcing Rs 1 million in relief for each victim's family, according to local media reports.
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The ongoing unrest in Nepal has resulted in 72 fatalities as protests intensified across the country
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki officially began her tenure on Sunday, designating those who died during the Gen Z protests as "martyrs" and announcing compensation of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 Lakh) for each victim's family, local media sources reported.
Karki, who previously served as Chief Justice, was appointed on Friday when President Ramchandra Paudel swore her in following increasing pressure from the Gen Z movement.
She formally assumed office two days after her appointment, beginning her day by visiting the Martyrs' Memorial in Lainchaur on Sunday before heading to Singha Durbar. Her official duties commenced from the Home Ministry building, as the Prime Minister's Office had been relocated there after Tuesday's arson attack damaged the primary complex.
Among her initial actions was providing immediate assistance to those affected by last week's violent demonstrations.
Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal announced that protest casualties would receive martyr status, with their families being granted financial aid of Rs 1 million each.
The Kathmandu Post reported that the government has also arranged free medical treatment for 134 protesters and 57 police personnel who sustained injuries.
Government ministries have been instructed to compile detailed reports documenting damages incurred during the protests, according to The Himalayan Times.
The escalating protests have resulted in 72 deaths thus far, including 59 demonstrators, 10 inmates, and 3 police officers, as reported by local media.
In a related development, President Paudel addressed the nation on Saturday, calling for cooperation from all parties to ensure successful House of Representatives elections planned for March 5 next year.
His statement came amid growing criticism from major political parties following Friday midnight's dissolution of the lower house, widely interpreted as fulfilling a key demand of the Gen Z movement.
Protesters had maintained that the existing parliament was corrupt and unable to implement meaningful reform.
Following Karki's recommendation, the lower house was dissolved, prematurely ending its term after being established in 2022. Paudel characterized the dissolution as a difficult but necessary decision that preserved the Constitution, parliamentary system, and Nepal's federal democratic republic.
"A peaceful way-out has been achieved in an extremely difficult and frightening situation," he stated, describing it as an opportunity "made possible because of tactful intervention."
However, the decision has faced strong opposition from political entities. On Saturday, eight political parties that held seats in the dissolved House released a joint statement denouncing the action as unconstitutional.
"It is against Article 76 (7) of the Constitution, precedents set by the Supreme Court, and constitutional tradition. Such unconstitutional action cannot be acceptable for us," the statement declared.