Kathmandu [Nepal], September 9 (ANI): Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, has died after suffering severe burns when their house in Kathmandu was set on fire during violent protests, Khabarhub reported.
Chitrakar was inside the residence when protesters torched it. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries, according to family sources cited by Khabarhub.
The incident comes as Gen Z demonstrations have escalated sharply, forcing Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign while protesters set fire to several government buildings, including the parliament and the President’s Office in Kathmandu.
Meanwhile, Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel on Tuesday urged protesters to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Gen Z movement through dialogue, The Himalayan Times reported. Paudel stressed that with Prime Minister Oli’s resignation already accepted, the nation must now focus on resolving the crisis without further bloodshed or destruction.
“I urge all sides to remain calm, prevent further harm to the nation, and come to the table for talks. In a democracy, the demands raised by citizens can be addressed through dialogue and negotiation,” the President said in an official statement.
The Nepali Army also issued a public request urging citizens, especially the youth, to exercise restraint and protect the nation’s historical and cultural heritage, The Himalayan Times reported.
Over the past two days, the Gen Z demonstrations have intensified, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 500 injured in clashes around the Federal Parliament and other parts of Kathmandu.
The protests began on September 8 in Kathmandu and other major cities, including Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj, after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, citing tax revenue and cybersecurity concerns.
Protesters are demanding an end to institutionalized corruption and favoritism in governance. They are also calling for greater accountability and transparency in government decision-making, along with the revocation of the social media ban, which they view as an attempt to suppress free speech.
A curfew has been imposed in several cities, including Kathmandu, to control the unrest. The government banned 26 major social media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube—citing concerns over misinformation and regulatory compliance. Many citizens, however, see the move as an attack on free expression and a way to silence dissent.
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