Youth, former ruling party clash: Curfew in south Nepal after fresh tensions

At least four police personnel were wounded in the clashes, officials said.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Thursday convened the meeting of the Security council along with heads of all the security agencies, appealing for cooperation from all sides for elections scheduled for March 5.

The government is in favour of freedom of speech and movement , and will discourage any activities obstructing it, PM Karki said on Thursday.

Protesters gathered at Simara Chowk from 11 am, despite the curfew imposed from 1 pm to 8 pm to prevent further clashes.

The clashes in the district had first erupted on Wednesday, when the news of CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and party youth leader Mahesh Basnet taking off from Kathmandu for Simara for addressing an anti-government rally spread amongst Gen Z members. Gen Z protesters gathered at the airport to oppose their arrival, triggering the clash with local CPN-UML cadres.

The UML leaders cancelled the rally after the local administration issued a curfew following the initial clashes.

Oli, furious over the cancellation of his party’s event, had asked his cadres to retaliate if there was any obstruction to their activities. CPN-UML is scheduled to hold a rally in Kathmandu Friday to announce the formation of a National Volunteers Service.

Following his forced exit from the government in September, Oli has been living under private security arrangements made by his party.

He was ousted from post in the wake of his government’s violent suppression of the anti-corruption protest organized by Genz groups against corruption that resulted in the death of altogether 78 people.