Kathmandu/Simara – Authorities have reimposed a curfew in Nepal’s Bara district following a second consecutive day of clashes between young protestors identifying as “Gen Z” and cadres of the CPN-UML party (Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist–Leninist), led by the recently ousted Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
The curfew was clamped down from 1 PM to 8 PM (local time) in Simara after fresh confrontations broke out on Thursday morning, which came just a day after six Gen Z protestors were injured in a similar incident.
💥 Tensions Escalate Near Simara Airport
The renewed unrest is rooted in a political confrontation ahead of the national election scheduled for March 5, 2026:
- The Trigger: Tensions began on Wednesday after CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and party youth leader Mahesh Basnet planned to fly from Kathmandu to Simara to attend an anti-government rally.
- Airport Confrontation: As the news spread, Gen Z protestors gathered at Simara Airport to oppose the UML leaders’ arrival, leading to a clash with CPN-UML cadres who were present.
- Clash Fallout: Police fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, temporarily halting airport operations. At least six Gen Z protestors were injured in the scuffle on Wednesday.
- Thursday’s Flare-up: Protesters returned to the streets on Thursday, accusing the police of failing to arrest the CPN-UML cadres named in their complaint regarding the previous day’s violence. The fresh clashes and escalating unrest led the authorities to reimpose the curfew.
📜 Context: The September Uprising
The current tensions underscore the fragile political transition in Nepal following the massive youth-led movement two months ago:
- Regime Change: In September, protests initially triggered by a brief government ban on social media platforms quickly expanded into a nationwide revolt over corruption and economic stagnation.
- Casualties: The uprising led to the deaths of at least 76 people.
- Oli’s Resignation: The protests eventually forced then-Prime Minister and UML Chairman K.P. Oli to resign.
- Interim Government: Former Nepal Chief Justice Sushila Karki was subsequently sworn in as the country’s first woman prime minister of an interim government, which has the mandate to hold new elections in 2026.
Assistant Chief District Officer Chhabiraman Subedi confirmed the reimposition of the curfew, stating it was necessary “to bring the situation under control.