New Delhi: Representatives of Nepal's ‘Gen Z’ youth-led protests that spiralled into the country’s worst political upheaval in decades met the country's Army chief on Wednesday (September 10) and proposed the name of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as a potential interim premier, per media reports.

The protests – which began on Monday and escalated on Tuesday, precipitating the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and prompting the army to maintain order on the streets – saw 30 people killed and a total of 1,033 others suffering injuries, the Kathmandu Post cited Nepal's health and population ministry as saying on Wednesday.

A number of ‘Gen Z’ representatives met with Chief of Army Staff General Ashokraj Sigdel at the Army headquarters in Kathmandu on Wednesday and proposed Karki's name as the leader of a new civilian government that could take over the reins, reports said.

The army in turn said it would hold discussions with Karki, reported the Online Khabar outlet.

At the same time some young people gathered outside the army headquarters on Wednesday to protest against Karki's recommendation, it also reported. Among the names some of these youth recommended was that of Kathmandu mayor Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah, who for his part has endorsed Karki as an interim leader.

The independent outlet Setopati reported that one group of youth who had gone to the army headquarters left after General Sigdel asked them to speak to Durga Kumar Prasai – a controversial businessman who has called for a return of monarchy to Nepal – as well as with the Rastriya Swatantra Party, to their chagrin.

While President Ramchandra Paudel accepted Oli's resignation on Tuesday, he clarified that the premier and his cabinet would remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is instituted.

Karki served as chief justice between 2016 and 2017 – the first woman to assume that office – and was perceived as an independent-minded judge.

Meanwhile the Army on Wednesday night said it would gradually ease prohibitory and curfew orders it has enforced after putting its boots on the ground on Tuesday in an effort to control the law and order situation.

Earlier in the day it had expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property during the demonstrations, but warned that “anarchic elements” had infiltrated the protests, engaging in arson, looting, vandalism, violent assaults and attempted sexual violence.

“Any such criminal acts carried out under the name of protest will be treated as punishable offences, and strong action will be taken by security forces,” it said.

It also appealed to protesters who may have looted or come into possession of weapons, ammunition or other equipment during the unrest to hand them over immediately to the nearest security agency. Citizens were further urged not to wear security force uniforms without authorisation.

It asked members of the public to rely only on official notices and not to fall for misinformation, while stressing its commitment to “national unity, social harmony, security and humanitarian values”.

According to Reuters, soldiers were guarding Nepal’s parliament on Wednesday, where the main hall was gutted by fire after being set ablaze during Tuesday’s unrest.

Several other government buildings, including the Supreme Court, ministers’ homes and Oli’s private residence, were also torched.

‘Gen Z’ leaders at the forefront of Monday's protests – when at least 19 people were killed as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas – have distanced themselves from Tuesday's violence, maintaining that their movement had been “hijacked” by “opportunists”, reported the BBC.

Burnt vehicles and twisted heaps of metal littered the capital, while army firefighters worked to contain blazes.

Flights too were disrupted as a result of the unrest, with Kathmandu’s airport shut until the evening.

In a separate advisory, the Army requested foreign nationals in Nepal to contact the nearest security office or deployed personnel if they require urgent assistance such as evacuation or facilitation. It also asked hotels, tourism operators and other institutions connected with foreign citizens to help coordinate support where necessary.

However, on Wednesday, the Tribhuvan International Airport reopened after a two-day shutdown. All domestic and international flights, which had been suspended since September 9, were cleared to operate.

Former Supreme Court judge Balaram K.C. had urged protesters to form a negotiation team and called for parliament to be dissolved and fresh elections held, per media reports.

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security met late Tuesday to discuss the turmoil in its neighbour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later posted on X, “Nepal’s stability, peace and prosperity are of utmost importance. I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to maintain peace and order”.

The unrest began with protests against a government-imposed ban on social media platforms such as Facebook and X, quickly spreading into broader demands for transparency and an end to corruption. Organised largely by ‘Gen Z’ activists, the movement drew young Nepalis who faced limited economic opportunities and rising political discontent.

Oli submitted his resignation the next day, stating in his letter that he was stepping down to facilitate a constitutional political solution. He remains in office in a caretaker capacity.

But his resignation was not enough to quell the violence. Protesters set fire to government buildings, including parts of Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s office, the Supreme Court and the president’s residence, as well as the homes of political leaders.

There were also videos circulated on social media showing protesters beating up Nepali Congress leader and four-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, the foreign minister.

It led to the Nepal army announcing on Tuesday evening that it would deploy personnel to control the situation.

This article was updated with news of Karki's endorsement and the fresh death toll.

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