Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stepped down on Tuesday during a second consecutive day of violent street protests in the capital, where demonstrators torched government offices and the residences of several leaders, including his own, The New York Times reported.
The prime minister's resignation, along with those of multiple other lawmakers, occurred one day after authorities fired into crowds of young protesters, resulting in at least 19 fatalities, according to The New York Times.
Protesters also broke into the parliament and set it ablaze.
Protesters enter Nepal President Paudel's private residence, vandalise it. 🇳🇵
Protesters in Nepal entered the private residence of Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel and vandalised it, according to videos that surfaced online.
Protests broke out in Nepal over alleged corruption… pic.twitter.com/3gyKcGA3a5
— Nitesh Sharma (@nitesh1572) September 9, 2025
Earlier on Tuesday, the government led by Oli had reversed its ban on major social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram – a restriction that had ignited years of simmering public anger over government corruption and social inequality – as reported by The New York Times. Officials also imposed a curfew in an attempt to prevent further demonstrations.
Nevertheless, a fresh wave of protests rapidly overwhelmed the capital, The New York Times detailed. Demonstrators breached the primary government administrative complex housing Oli's office. The protesters also set ablaze the homes of top leaders, the offices of their political parties, police stations, and government structures. Security forces positioned throughout Kathmandu were unable to safeguard the properties.
The headquarters of both Oli's Communist Party of Nepal and the Nepali Congress party were destroyed by fire. The homes of two former prime ministers, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sher Bahadur Deuba, were ignited, as was Oli's own residence.
Footage shared on social media depicted helicopters evacuating ministers from their quarters inside the main government administrative building and transporting them to secure locations.
The residence of former home minister Ramesh Lekhak, who stepped down on Monday citing moral responsibility for the 19 deaths, was also completely incinerated. In total, four cabinet ministers have resigned, three of whom belong to the Nepali Congress party. Internal flights departing from Kathmandu's international airport were grounded following reports of arson attacks in the vicinity of its perimeter.
