Kathmandu chaos: Nepali PM resigns as social media protesters defy curfew, torch politicians’ homes

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned amid fiery protests in Kathmandu as anti-corruption demonstrators defy an indefinite curfew and clash with police, a day after 19 people died in violent protests triggered by a social media ban.

The unrest is the worst in decades in the poor Himalayan country that is wedged between India and China and has struggled with political instability and economic uncertainty since protests led to the abolition of its monarchy in 2008.

Oli’s government lifted the social media ban after protests turned violent Monday, with police opening fire on protesters outside of parliament, killing 19 and injuring more than a 100.

But anger against the government has shown no signs of abating, as protesters gather in front of parliament and other places in the capital Kathmandu, with indications that some have set fire to the homes of politicians.

I am inside the Nepal Parliament right now. Nepali Youth are celebrating the fall of KP Sharma Oli Govt and Parliament being gutted in Kathmandu. The Nepal Parliament is burning. pic.twitter.com/LHM1EmSaAu

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 9, 2025

Protesters also set fire to tire on some roads, throw stones at police personnel in riot gear and chase them through narrow streets amid clouds of thick black smoke.

Arrival of planes from the southern side at Kathmandu airport, Nepal’s main international gateway, was closed because of poor visibility due to the smoke from fires set by protesters in areas nearby, aviation authority official Gyanendra Bhul said.

Helicopter movement in TIA, #Kathmandu sky filled with black smoke.#EnoughisEnough #BoycottGovernment #Nepalprotest #endcorruption pic.twitter.com/W5AuCY5xkA

— Anup Pokharel (@utdAOMINE) September 9, 2025

Hundreds of people from some towns located near the India-Nepal border have started marching towards Kathmandu to support the protesters, one tells Reuters by phone.