By Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap
Copyright timesnownews
The situation in Nepal is “under control,” but the Army does not have information on the whereabouts of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Army Spokesperson Brig Gen Rajaram Basnet told Times Now. There are reports that Oli has fled the country in the wake of violent protests in the Himalayan nation. Oli resigned on the second day of the massive protests – the day saw demonstrators storm government buildings and set the parliament as well as homes of several high-profile leaders ablaze. “We do not have any information about them,” Brig Gen Rajaram Basnet, Director of Public Relations and Information, told Times Now. The army on Wednesday imposed nationwide restrictive orders followed by a curfew to quell possible violent protests in the Himalayan nation. Kathmandu, and other major cities wore a deserted look as army troops fanned out across the country. The restrictive orders are in effect throughout the country from morning to 5 pm, and then a curfew will be in place until 6 am on Thursday, the army said in a statement. The Army officer called as “interim set up” the army taking control of nationwide security operations in the country. “We are committed to democracy, and soon we will have novel and returned and democratic government in power,” he said Asked about the attacks on foreigners, including Indian nationals, he said: “We have released a statement and have asked those foreign nationals who are feeling unsafe to reach out to Army. We are committed to their security”. A video of an Indian tourist requesting help from the Indian embassy was widely shared on social media. In the video, the tourist identified as Upastha Gill had claimed that the mob was not even sparing tourists, as she went on to share her ordeal of losing all her belongings as the “entire hotel” was burned down. “I request the Indian embassy to please help us. All those who can help us, please help. I am stranded here in Pokhara, Nepal. I had come here to host a volleyball league, and currently, the hotel where I was staying has been burned down. All my luggage, all my belongings, were in my room, and the entire hotel was set on fire. I was in the spa, and people were running behind me with very large sticks, and I barely managed to escape with my life,” the woman said in the video. “The situation here is very bad. Fires are being set on roads everywhere. They are not even sparing tourists here. They don’t care if someone is a tourist or if someone has come here for work. They are setting fires everywhere without thinking, and the situation has become very, very bad here. We don’t know how long we will stay in another hotel. But I just request the Indian embassy that please, this video, this message, should be delivered to them. With folded hands, I request all of you, please help us. There are many people with me here, and we are all stranded here,” she added, according to TOI report. Indian Embassy Asks Nationals to Avoid Travel to Nepal In the wake of unrest, India on Tuesday asked Indian citizens presently in Nepal to avoid going out on the streets and to exercise all due caution. Nepal GenZ Protest Live Updates: Nepali Media Outlet Kantipur Set Ablaze “In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution,” the MEA said. The army has warned that any form of demonstrations, vandalism, arson, or attacks on individuals and property during the restrictive period would be treated as criminal acts and dealt with accordingly. “There are also possible threats of rape and violent attacks against individuals,” the statement said. “Keeping in view the security situation of the country, restrictive orders and a curfew have been enforced,” it said. Authorities have also issued orders for residents to remain indoors unless “absolutely necessary”, in a bid to prevent further unrest. Prime Minister Oli quit on Tuesday shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during Monday’s protests over corruption and a social media ban. The ban on social media was lifted Monday night. Protesters set fire to the Parliament, the President’s Office, the PM’s residence, government buildings, political parties’ offices and homes of senior leaders.
