Everyone said rubber bullet, rubber bullet. It was not a rubber bullet. If you see my son, his head was broken, a hole is there. Narendra Shrestha’s desperate plea captures the collective anguish following last week’s violent protests in Nepal. His son, Sulov, was among the many young lives tragically cut short as groups took to the streets in response to widespread corruption, only to be met with forceful repression by police.
More than 70 people lost their lives in the unrest, which ensued after the government attempted to stifle dissent by banning social media platforms. As demonstrations escalated, the streets of Kathmandu were engulfed in flames, with protesters setting government buildings ablaze in their fury against the ruling class.
Family members like Rasik KC, who is awaiting news on his nephew's fate, express the rising frustration and anger towards a government that they feel has wronged them. We want justice,” he states, summing up the sentiment of many who have gathered outside mortuaries to identify the bodies of their loved ones.
Healthcare providers at local hospitals report an unprecedented number of injuries, treating over 450 patients who suffered from both gunshot wounds and the violence of confrontations with police. Eyewitness accounts reveal that both live ammunition and rubber bullets were used during the protests, raising serious questions about the rules of engagement for security forces during civil unrest.
In response to the mounting pressure, the newly appointed interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki faces a daunting challenge: restoring faith in government while addressing the chaotic aftermath of the protests. Calls for accountability echo through the streets, as victims’ families demand answers regarding who ordered the police to open fire. The heartbreaking stories of the deceased ring out—youth with dreams of becoming judges, artists, and adventurers now silenced forever in a bid for justice against corruption.
As the nation grapples with the fallout, it is clear that the events that transpired will leave lasting scars on the fabric of Nepalese society.
More than 70 people lost their lives in the unrest, which ensued after the government attempted to stifle dissent by banning social media platforms. As demonstrations escalated, the streets of Kathmandu were engulfed in flames, with protesters setting government buildings ablaze in their fury against the ruling class.
Family members like Rasik KC, who is awaiting news on his nephew's fate, express the rising frustration and anger towards a government that they feel has wronged them. We want justice,” he states, summing up the sentiment of many who have gathered outside mortuaries to identify the bodies of their loved ones.
Healthcare providers at local hospitals report an unprecedented number of injuries, treating over 450 patients who suffered from both gunshot wounds and the violence of confrontations with police. Eyewitness accounts reveal that both live ammunition and rubber bullets were used during the protests, raising serious questions about the rules of engagement for security forces during civil unrest.
In response to the mounting pressure, the newly appointed interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki faces a daunting challenge: restoring faith in government while addressing the chaotic aftermath of the protests. Calls for accountability echo through the streets, as victims’ families demand answers regarding who ordered the police to open fire. The heartbreaking stories of the deceased ring out—youth with dreams of becoming judges, artists, and adventurers now silenced forever in a bid for justice against corruption.
As the nation grapples with the fallout, it is clear that the events that transpired will leave lasting scars on the fabric of Nepalese society.
