Chitwan district courthouse torched, lawyers’ offices destroyed as military warns of external groups exploiting youth movement
Nepal’s crisis deepened Wednesday as destruction spread beyond the capital, with protesters torching district administration offices, election headquarters, and lawyers’ chambers in Chitwan district overnight. The fires raged so intensely that authorities couldn’t extinguish them until Wednesday morning.
Police reported that the district court and government lawyers’ offices were set ablaze, destroying countless legal documents and case files. Municipal and ward offices in Bharatpur and surrounding areas were also attacked, while offices of major political parties—Nepali Congress, UML, and Maoist Center; were reduced to ashes.
Army Intervention Escalates
Responding to the escalating violence, Nepal Army has deployed troops across major cities including Kathmandu, conducting patrols and appealing through loudspeakers for citizens to maintain peace. Army’s Public Relations Directorate issued a stern warning, stating that “certain groups are exploiting these protests to harm civilians and property.”
“If such activities continue, military deployment will be increased,” the army warned, urging citizens to avoid violent demonstrations.
Gen Z Movement Distances Itself
As destruction mounted, prominent Gen Z groups, ‘Gen Z Nepal’, ‘Hami Nepal’, and ‘How to Desh Vikas’, issued social media statements disowning the violence. “This violence is not ours. These are opportunistic groups working for their own benefit,” they declared, distancing themselves from the rampage.
The groups accused “opportunistic and failed leaders” of hijacking their movement to tarnish their reputation, calling for peaceful demonstrations.
Talks Scheduled
In a bid to end the crisis, formal negotiations between Nepal Army and protesting youth are scheduled today under President Ram Chandra Paudel’s supervision, following informal discussions at Sheetal Niwas on Tuesday night.
The talks will focus on forming a civilian government, dissolving parliament, and conducting fresh elections, key demands of the protesters seeking to replace party-based governance with people’s leadership.
Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has endorsed discussions on the condition of parliament dissolution, signaling potential breakthrough possibilities.
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