Kathmandu, Nepal — Grief-stricken families gathered outside the mortuary at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, mourning their young loved ones who were killed during a wave of violent protests that swept through Nepal. As anger over government corruption boiled over, the nation faced a devastating toll, with over 70 people confirmed dead and more than 1,000 injured in just two days of unrest.
Among the mourners was Narendra Shrestha, who had come to identify his 21-year-old son, Sulov. “Everyone said rubber bullet, rubber bullet. It was not a rubber bullet,” he lamented. With tears in his eyes, he demanded accountability for his son’s death, questioning how such violence could happen in their country. “Who will we live for now? We also want to die,” he said, expressing a deep sense of despair.
The protests began in response to a government-imposed ban on social media platforms aimed at regulating misinformation. As discontent simmered over broader issues of corruption and governance, demonstrators, mainly young people, gathered in Kathmandu to voice their outrage. By the time the ban was lifted, the protests had escalated into widespread violence, leading to rioters setting fire to government buildings, including the parliament.
Eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports suggest that many of the fatalities resulted from police firing live ammunition into crowds. While officials initially asserted that force must be used to maintain order, criticism mounted as families of the deceased shared stories of loved ones aspiring for better futures—a young man who dreamed of becoming a judge, a student who worked at a local hotel, and another with ambitions to learn French.
Calls for justice have surfaced among the families who lost their loved ones. Rasik KC, awaiting news on his 22-year-old nephew, expressed his anger after learning of Rashik Khatiwada’s death through social media. “We want justice,” he said, encapsulating the collective demand for accountability that has emerged in the aftermath of the violence.
The impact on healthcare facilities was also significant. Hospitals in Kathmandu experienced an influx of injured individuals, with some medical teams treating hundreds of people. Dr. Santosh Paudel, working in an emergency ward, reported unexpected injuries from both rubber bullets and serious gunshot wounds, with multiple victims suffering severe trauma.
The death toll continues to climb as authorities gather data in the aftermath of the riots. An investigation has been announced into the police actions during the disturbances, although it remains unclear who authorized the use of deadly force against unarmed protesters. The government claims it had to intervene to prevent chaos, but the widespread destruction and loss of life raise pressing questions about the use of force in maintaining public order.
With the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid the unrest, Sushila Karki has assumed the role of interim prime minister. She faces the daunting challenge of restoring public faith in the government while addressing the deeply rooted issues of corruption that sparked the protests. Karki has committed to holding new elections in March 2026, but many in the community are skeptical of real change without accountability for the violence that has marred their streets.
As families continue to grieve their losses, their demands echo through the streets of Kathmandu: for justice, accountability, and a government that listens to its people. The ongoing unrest symbolizes not only a fracture within Nepalese politics but also a growing movement striving for a voice against corruption—a movement that may shape the future of the nation.