Nepal's Gen Z Protests Escalate: Curfew Imposed, Tensions Rise Ahead of 2026 Elections
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A fresh wave of protests by Nepal's Gen Z has gripped the country's Bara district, prompting authorities to impose a curfew from 1pm to 8pm local time. The clashes between protesters and police began early on Thursday morning, with six people injured in the violence. The protests are centered around an upcoming election scheduled for March 5, 2026, and are linked to the planned visit of CPN-UML leaders, including general secretary Shankar Pokharel and party youth leader Mahesh Basnet. Tensions escalated when a Buddha Air flight carrying the UML leaders was forced to halt operations due to the confrontation. The development comes just a day after protests saw clashes between police and Gen Z protesters in Simara. The situation has prompted concerns about the upcoming election, with the protests fueling fears and jibes across India. In September, a similar wave of protests led to the ousting of then-Prime Minister KP Oli, with former Chief Justice Sushila Karki taking on the role of interim prime minister. The social media ban that sparked the protests has since been lifted. The current protests are a stark reminder of the country's fragile peace and the ongoing challenges facing the government ahead of the 2026 elections.
