By Rama Parajuli

Copyright bbc

Chaos and violence reigned the next day. Demonstrators retaliated by setting parliament, the prime minister’s office and other government buildings ablaze. Both Ms Pandey and Ms Ghimire stayed indoors and watched the developments online.

“A lot of people did share that it felt so good to finally see politicians face the consequences of everything they’ve done,” Ms Ghimire said, referring to the destruction of the leaders’ homes. But the mood soon darkened.

“I saw people with bottles filled with petroleum. They got it from the motorbikes. They started attacking the parliament,” said Ms Pandey.

The law graduate cried after seeing the Supreme Court on fire, saying that it was like “a temple” for her. Her friends at the scene were pouring water on the flames to try to put them out. They all knew the effort would be futile – they did it only to console themselves.

“People say the arsonists intended to come and burn these things… Who are these people?” asked Ms Ghimire. “The videos show these people are all masked.”

Some calm was restored when the army was deployed to take control of the situation – a curfew was in place for days. Later in the week former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister. She had been backed by protesters for the post.

Ms Pandey hopes she “can lead the country efficiently, do the election in stipulated time and hand the power to the people”.

But the anxiety about Nepal’s political future persists.

Rumela Sen, a South Asia expert at Columbia University, said it was “worrying” to see “an unprecedented glorification of the army as a voice of sanity and stability”.

Many are also uncomfortable with the involvement of Durga Prasai in the initial negotiation at the invitation of the military. Mr Prasai was arrested for his role in violent pro-monarchy protests in March. He fled to India but was returned to Nepal. The Gen Z protesters walked out.