By Tass
Copyright tass
NEW DELHI, September 9. /TASS/. The Nepalese army has taken full responsibility for ensuring the country’s security in the wake of the political leadership’s resignation, the servicemen said in a statement.
The India Today TV channel quoted the document as saying that the army “is fully committed to discharging its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, geographical integrity, national unity, and the security of the Nepali people.”
The servicemen also called on “all, especially the youth, to play a constructive role in maintaining social harmony, peace, and national unity during these difficult circumstances.”
A wave of anti-government protests has continued in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu and other major cities for the second day in a row. Nepalese Prime Minister Sharma Oli resigned. The protesters set ablaze the Supreme Court, as well as the residences of Nepal’s president, prime minister, government officials and other politicians. One of these attacks resulted in the death of the wife of the former prime minister and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.
On September 4, the Nepalese government restricted Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp (social media sites banned in Russia since they are owned by Meta corporation classified as extremist by the Russian authorities) as well as other social networks that were not registered with the Communication and Information Technology Ministry in a timely manner. On September 8, mass protests involving thousands of demonstrators began in Kathmandu and several other major Nepalese cities. The protesters opposed the government’s measures. Most of the demonstrators were students and activists from the Gen Z youth movement. The government sent servicemen to Kathmandu to maintain order and imposed an indefinite curfew. A total of 19 people died, and over 500 were injured. The authorities lifted all restrictions on September 9 amid continued protests.
Although the protests had no official leaders, Hami Nepal Chairman Sudhan Gurung was their main instigator. The organization promotes youth participation in social reform and opposes internet censorship and corruption.