New Delhi: Repeating its call for restraint on the second day of violent protests that have rocked Nepal and precipitated the resignation of its prime minister, the country's army on Tuesday (September 9) said it would deploy personnel at 10 pm local time to control the situation if the violence did not stop.

Stating that ‘some groups’ were ‘taking unfair advantage of the current difficult situation’ by causing damage to public property and indulging in arson and looting, the Nepal army said in a signed statement that it will deploy soldiers alongside personnel from ‘all security agencies’ at 10 pm “for the security of Nepal and Nepalis” if the violence did not stop by then.

“We also sincerely appeal to the entire nation for cooperation,” its statement issued in Nepali said per a machine translation, adding that “thereafter the security situation will be reassessed and further information will be issued”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli tendered his resignation amid the escalating protests in the country, his secretariat announced.

“Considering the extraordinary situation prevailing in the country and in order to facilitate further efforts toward a constitutional political solution and problem resolution, I hereby resign from the office of Prime Minister, effective immediately, under Article 77(1)a of the Constitution,” Oli wrote in his letter to Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel, the Himalayan Times reported.

Paudel accepted Oli's resignation but the Republica outlet reports that his office clarified in a statement saying the existing cabinet would continue functioning until a new one is appointed, in accordance with Article 77(3) of Nepal's constitution, which deals with the vacation of the prime minister or other minister's offices.

Oli had earlier announced an all-party meeting on Tuesday evening as the protests entered the second day.

“I am saddened by Monday’s protests in the capital and across the country and the subsequent incidents,” he said. “No form of violence serves the nation’s interest, and we must pursue a peaceful and dialogue-based solution,” he also said.

The prime minister had said that he was in talks with all relevant parties to put an end to the crisis.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday evening that the Cabinet Committee on Security – comprising himself along with the defence, finance and external affairs ministers – had discussed the developing situation in Nepal.

“I am anguished that many young people have lost their lives,” Modi wrote on X, adding that Nepal's peace, prosperity and stability were “of utmost importance” to India. “I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace.”

Supreme Court, president's office set on fire

Tensions in Nepal escalated sharply on Tuesday after protesters, in defiance of the curfew put in place on Monday afternoon, set fire to the homes and offices of the top political leadership of the country, including Oli’s private residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu valley.

Other houses set on fire include those of President Poudel, former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal. A school owned by Nepali foreign minister Arzu Deuba Rana was also set on fire, AP reported.

The Kathmandu Post reported that the Nepal army evacuated ministers from their residences using helicopters amid reports of arson and vandalism.

Protesters also entered the federal parliament building, having breached its parliament walls for a second consecutive day, and set it ablaze.

Hours after the news of Oli's departure from office, dissenters set the Supreme Court and the president's office at Sheetal Niwas in Kathmandu on fire.

Key officials urge restraint

Before announcing its intention to deploy soldiers, the army on Tuesday evening had issued a statement asking for social harmony and national unity to be preserved. It said that the loss of lives and property was extremely tragic and saddening and urged all citizens to maintain restraint.

"For the protection of Nepal’s sovereignty, national integrity, geographical indivisibility, independence, national unity, and the lives and property of the Nepali people, the Nepali Army has always remained committed to national security responsibilities. The Nepali Army is closely monitoring the ongoing internal developments and incidents in Nepal.

In the course of this movement, the loss of precious lives and property of citizens is extremely tragic and saddening. The Nepali Army extends heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the grieving families of those who lost their lives, while also wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Dedicated to the interest and security of Nepal and its citizens, the Nepali Army is always alert and committed to fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to protect the country’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. At this sensitive time, the Nepali Army earnestly appeals to all citizens, especially the youth community, to contribute to the preservation of social harmony and national unity, and to maintain restraint," the statement said.

A slew of key Nepali officials, including Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel had earlier released a joint appeal urging the young protesters to exercise restraint.

“With the resignation of the Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli now accepted, we sincerely urge all citizens to remain calm and avoid further damage to life and property," the appeal stated. “We also call on all concerned parties to seek a swift and peaceful resolution through political dialogue.”

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah also urged the protesters to exercise restraint, especially as their demand for Oli's resignation had been met.

“Dear Gen Z, your demand for the resignation of the government has been met. Now it is time to remain restrained,” he wrote.

Shah is being seen as the most popular politician among young Nepalis at the moment.

The situation in the Himalayan nation took a turn for the worse after the Nepal police opened fire on demonstrators on Monday, killing 19 and injuring more than 400.

The mass protests in Nepal were prompted by a social media ban on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, amid wider discontent with the Oli government that has been accused of widespread corruption.

The spontaneous protests are being seen as the result of growing irritation with the government, political failure and alleged corruption.

Ministers step down, curfews imposed

Three ministers have also stepped down since the protests began on Monday.

Home minister Lekhak submitted his resignation to Oli during a cabinet meeting on Monday evening, followed by agriculture minister Ramnath Adhikari and water supply minister Pradeep Yadav.

Curfews were imposed in different areas of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts on Tuesday, but did little to deter the public from taking to the streets.

Last week, Nepal’s government following a Supreme Court order decided to block access to major social media platforms that had not registered with the communications and information technology ministry in line with a 2023 set of directives.

At the time none of the large global firms or platforms – including Meta, Alphabet, X, Reddit and LinkedIn – had applied to register with the ministry. On the other hand TikTok, Telegram and Viber were among a handful of platforms that had registered or had applied to register.

Despite the lifting of the social media ban, demonstrations continued on Tuesday in parts of the Kathmandu valley, including New Baneshwar, Kalanki and Chapagaun, where protesters chanted slogans against corruption and lit tyres on fire.

Police made several arrests near the parliament building.

Media offices set on fire

A senior Nepali journalist told The Wire that the office of two media houses, Kantipur and Annapurna, were also targeted and set ablaze on Tuesday afternoon.

Videos on social media showed a commercial building in Kathmandu housing several offices, including the country's largest media house Kantipur Publications – which is the publisher of Kantipur and the Kathmandu Post – was set on fire. Subsequently, the websites of both the dailies went down.

“Kantipur’s building was attacked today and set on fire. As a result, our servers are down, so we are posting all our reporting and updates on our social media platforms. Thanks for supporting our work,” the Kathmandu Post said on X.

The attacks on media networks signal a shift from yesterday's Gen Z-led protests, with political party workers – including from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) – being among other groups that participated in Tuesday's unrest.

Kantipur was targeted in particular, as its owner had clashed with the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s Rabi Lamichhane and accused him of corruption.

Annapurna, which alongside Kantipur is known for its independent journalism and reportage on corruption, had its building burnt on Tuesday at a time when journalists were present inside and working. Earlier in May, pro-monarchy demonstrators had also vandalised the Annapurna group's offices.

Its chairman, Captain Rameshwar Thapa, has received life threats from unidentified individuals. Protesters also set fire to his residential properties in and around Kathmandu. State agencies have yet to take meaningful action in Thapa's case.

India, UK, US and others urge restraint

In a statement released Tuesday morning the Indian government had said it was “deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives” in Nepal’s protests and urged that the crisis be addressed through “peaceful means and dialogue."

India also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. “As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue,” the statement said.

The UN's office in Nepal condoled the deaths over the last two days and called on protesters to exercise their fundamental rights to peaceful protest, expression and access to information in a non-violent manner, while also urging the authorities to respond to incidents proportionately and in line with international human rights law.

“The voices of young Nepalis have been heard loud and clear, and Nepal will benefit from taking concrete steps to address the root causes of the issues raised and ensuring a prosperous future for young Nepalis,” it said in a statement, adding to offer its support for efforts toward dialogue and trust-building initiatives.

A joint statement was also issued by the Embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America in Nepal on Monday evening.

"We are deeply saddened by the violence seen in Kathmandu and elsewhere in Nepal today, including the tragic loss of life and injury during demonstrations. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, all those affected, and wish those injured a swift and full recovery.

Our governments reaffirm our strong support for the universal rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalation, and ensure that these fundamental rights are protected," the statement said.

International and national rights organisations, including the UN’s human rights office and Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission, condemned the killings and called for prompt investigations, urging the government to respect freedom of assembly and expression.

The Union Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory on Tuesday urging Indian nationals to defer travel to Nepal and asked those already in the country to avoid stepping out until the situation stabilises.

"In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution. They are also advised to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu," it said.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.