Nepal Imposes Curfew as Fresh Gen Z Protests Clash with Former Ruling Party Supporters

Nepal authorities have imposed curfews after violent clashes emerged between young protesters and supporters of the former ruling party that was ousted during the deadly September 'Gen Z' uprising.

The government has prohibited gatherings in Nepal's Bara district following confrontations between Gen Z demonstrators and loyalists of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

District officials announced that the curfew would remain effective until Thursday evening at 8 pm local time, stating it was necessary to restore public order.

Tensions escalated on Wednesday when both young protesters and CPN-UML supporters organized simultaneous rallies in Bara district's Simara area. Physical altercations broke out between the groups, with some conflicts occurring near the airport, prompting authorities to implement the curfew measure.

Nepal police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle informed AFP news agency that "The situation is normal... No one was severely injured."

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has called for peace and urged all political factions to "refrain from unwanted political provocation" and to maintain trust in democratic processes as the country prepares for elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.

"I have directed the Home Administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order," Prime Minister Karki stated in a Wednesday night release.

She expressed her commitment to "ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties and create a fair and fear-free environment for the elections."

On Wednesday, Karki also conducted a meeting with representatives from more than 110 political parties.

"We want this country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision," she told attendees at the meeting.

The September demonstrations that sparked Nepal's political transformation resulted in at least 76 fatalities during protests on September 8 and 9. These protests were initially triggered by the previous government's brief ban on social media and were primarily led by demonstrators under the collective "Gen Z" designation.

While the social media restriction catalyzed the September uprising, deeper frustrations stemming from years of economic stagnation and endemic corruption had prepared the nation of 30 million for significant political upheaval.

Government buildings including parliament, courts, and administrative offices were set ablaze before the 73-year-old four-time premier Oli was removed from power. Former Chief Justice Karki, also 73, was subsequently appointed as interim prime minister to guide the Himalayan country toward new elections.