Hundreds of young demonstrators stormed the Federal Parliament premises in Kathmandu’s New Baneshwor area on Monday (Sept 8), forcing authorities to impose a daylong curfew after clashes with police turned violent.

Protesters, largely from Nepal’s so-called Generation Z, breached police barricades and scaled the gates of Parliament, despite earlier pledges to remain peaceful. 

Some were seen climbing onto a police guard post before security forces responded with water cannons and multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office swiftly imposed a curfew from 12:30 pm to 10 pm in and around Baneshwor as tensions mounted. 

Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal said the restrictions were issued under Article 6(A) of the Local Administration Act, 2028. 

The curfew zone spans New Baneshwor Chowk to Bijulibazar bridge in the west, Tinkune Chowk in the east, Ratna Rajya Secondary School in the north, and Shankhamul bridge in the south.

The youth-led protests, which are spreading across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Biratnagar, and other cities, have been fuelled by anger over entrenched corruption and the government’s recent decision to shut down social media platforms. 

Authorities said efforts continued late into the evening to clear demonstrators still attempting to force their way into the Parliament complex.

Source: The Himalayan 

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