Nepal Corruption Protest Death Toll Rises to 21, PM Resigns (See Photos)

• PM KP Sharma Oli resigns after violent protests kill 21
• Government buildings and politicians’ homes set ablaze
• Three ministers also step down over crisis response

Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, has stepped down from office following a wave of violent protests that have left 21 people dead and dozens injured.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the 73-year-old leader submitted his resignation to the president on Tuesday, describing his decision as a necessary step to “move closer to a political solution and resolve the ongoing crisis.”

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Nationwide unrest erupted on Monday after the government attempted to implement a ban on social media platforms.

Although the controversial decision was quickly reversed, widespread anger over corruption, rising youth unemployment, and perceived government favoritism continued to drive large crowds to the streets.

Protests, led mainly by young people, turned chaotic as demonstrators set fire to the homes of top political figures. Oli’s residence in Balakot, Bhaktapur, and that of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba were among those attacked.

Videos shared online showed parts of Oli’s house engulfed in flames. In another incident, petrol bombs were reportedly hurled at the home of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, another former prime minister and leader of the Maoist Centre.

Government buildings were not spared either. Protesters stormed and vandalised offices including the Singha Durbar complex the main administrative hub in Kathmandu.

Authorities confirmed that 19 people died on Monday after security forces opened fire on demonstrators.

Two more deaths were recorded on Tuesday, according to Dr. Mohan Regmi of the Civil Service Hospital.

Reports has it that no fewer than 90 persons are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the unrest.

The violence also disrupted flights at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where domestic operations were suspended over security concerns.

Amid the political turmoil, three cabinet ministers have also resigned in protest. Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav, Agriculture Minister Ram Nath Adhikari, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak all tendered their resignations, citing the government’s mishandling of the crisis.

In his resignation letter, Oli stated that his exit was “important in order to find a lasting solution to the unrest and address the people’s grievances.”

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