Nepal’s new prime minister took office Sunday and “urged calm and cooperation to rebuild” the Himalayan nation after days of violent protests last week left at least 72 people dead and destroyed government buildings and politicians’ homes.
Sushila Karki, the country’s first woman prime minister, told top officials gathered at her temporary office that each family of slain protesters will receive monetary compensation of one million rupees (about $15,690 Cdn) and assured that those injured would be taken care of, state TV reported.
“We all need to get together to rebuild the country,” Karki said, pledging to work to get the South Asian nation back on track.
The massive demonstrations — called the protest of Gen Z — began on Sept. 8 over a short-lived social media ban. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets, particularly young people, angry about widespread corruption and poverty, while the children of political leaders, known as “nepo kids,” seemed to enjoy luxurious lifestyles.
At least 19 people died and more than 100 people were injured on Monday in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu. Police fired water cannons and tear gas at a large group of mostly young people who were protesting. They say their government is corrupt and they’re upset because social media has been banned in the country. Now, the country’s president has stepped down. Hari KC is a research fellow with the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration at Toronto Metropolitan University. He is also a fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. He explained to CBC K-W’s Aastha Shetty why there are protests in Nepal and what impact it’s having on people in Waterloo region.
The protests soon turned violent, with protesters attacking the parliament building and police opening fire, and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, who fled his official residence.
The actual office of the prime minister — an old white-coloured palace converted to an office — was burnt down along with the offices of the president, the supreme court, key government ministries and several police stations on Sept. 9, a day after police shot at protesters. The businesses and houses of key families were also attacked, including several stores of a popular supermarket chain in Nepal.
Calm was restored after the army took control of the streets that night, and negotiations between protesters, the army and the president began over an interim government.
Karki, 73, was named the new prime minister on Sept. 12. She was a popular figure while serving as the court’s only female chief justice in 2016 and 2017, and was known for her stance against corruption in the government.
Fresh parliamentary elections have been set for March 5.
