By Gopal Sharma
KATHMANDU (Reuters) -Soldiers patrolled the streets of Kathmandu on Wednesday, amid indefinite curfew in Nepal’s capital following two days of deadly anti-graft protests that prompted Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
The worst upheaval in decades in the poor Himalayan nation was sparked by a social media ban unveiled last week but rolled back after 19 people died on Monday as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds.
“We are trying to normalise the situation first,” army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said on Wednesday. “We are committed to protect the life and property of people.”
No protests were reported in the capital, but media said about 25 people trying to “create trouble” on the outskirts of Kathmandu had been taken into custody. Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.
Several government buildings, from the supreme court and parliament to ministers’ homes, including Oli’s private residence, were set ablaze in Tuesday’s protests, with the unrest subsiding only after the resignation.
“There are no protesters here,” Ram Kumar Shrestha, a resident of Maharajgunj in the capital, told Reuters. “Only a few people are walking in the street. It is peaceful here.”
Media said preparations were being made for authorities and protesters to hold talks, but did not specify details. Reuters could not independently confirm the information.
Most of the protesters were young people who voiced frustration with what they called the failure of the government to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities.
For years a lack of jobs has driven millions to seek work in countries such as Malaysia, the Middle East and South Korea, mainly on construction sites, so as to send money home.
Wedged between India and China, Nepal has struggled with political and economic instability since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.
India’s security cabinet also met late on Tuesday to discuss the situation in its neighbour.
“Nepal’s stability, peace, and prosperity are of utmost importance,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X later. “I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order.”
(Reporting by Gopal Sharma; Writing by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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