Four held for robbing Bhatbhateni Supermarket
Four people have been arrested on charges of looting the Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Maharajgunj.
The arrests were made today between 10 am and 1 pm, following the nationwide deployment of the Nepal Army and other security forces in response to the situation that emerged with two-day Gen Z demonstrations.
In a related incident, suspects involved in suspicious activities in the Dilli Bazaar–Narayanthan area fled upon seeing security personnel.
Authorities confiscated Rs 232,500 and USD 2,500, which were abandoned by the suspects while fleeing, according to the Nepal Army.
In a press release, the Army also confirmed the recovery of one additional looted firearm, bringing the total number of weapons recovered so far to 32.
Furthermore, 26 inmates who had escaped from the District Prison in Dadeldhura have been rearrested. Security personnel also successfully thwarted an attempted prison break at the Central Jail in Dilli Bazaar, Kathmandu.
Flights resume at TIA
Flights have resumed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The airport office has stated that the international airport, which was closed since Tuesday due to adverse conditions, has been opened.
The airport office has announced in a public notice that flights that were suspended since Tuesday due to adverse circumstances will be resumed according to the decision made this afternoon by the TIA Security Committee.
Travelers arriving at the airport for a flight have been requested to contact their respective airlines to get information about the flight time before coming to the airport. They have also been requested to bring their official flight tickets and identification documents with them.
In the meantime, the private airline company, Buddha Air, has announced that its flight operations will commence from Thursday morning.
Nepal Army holds preliminary talks with Gen-Z protesters
The Nepal Army, currently overseeing the country’s overall security situation, has initiated preliminary negotiations with representatives of the Gen-Z protest movement. According to sources, more than a dozen self-proclaimed representatives of the movement visited the Army Headquarters and met with Nepal Army Chief Ashok Sigdel.
Both Army Chief Sigdel and President Ram Chandra Poudel had earlier called on the protesters to engage in dialogue. During the meeting, the Army Chief reportedly urged the group to select a consensual representative for more focused negotiations.
Following the meeting, Gen-Z youth activists have turned to the social media platform Discord to continue internal discussions. Since early morning, they have been deliberating on choosing a representative and formulating a unified set of demands for the movement.
Political parties have begun responding after some protesters attacked leaders and residences belonging to the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. In a press statement, the Nepali Congress—the largest party in the 275-member House of Representatives—condemned the violence and urged President Poudel to initiate dialogue among political parties.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned, but it remains unclear whether he continues to serve as a caretaker Prime Minister. Both Oli and President Poudel are currently under the protection of the Nepal Army. Since midnight on Tuesday, the Army has assumed control of national security operations, including the mobilization of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force.
Uncertainty looms over whether the Army will assume full control or if a civilian government will be formed. Protesters are calling for the dissolution of both the constitution and parliament—demands that mainstream political parties strongly oppose. Despite the turmoil, one outcome appears increasingly likely: the formation of an interim government with a commitment to hold early elections.
Two women found dead in houses torched by protesters in Lakeside and Naya Bazaar of Pokhara
Two women were found dead at the Lakeside-based Anshuverma building and Naya Bazaar-based auto showroom in Pokhara.
The Gen Z protesters had set fire to both the buildings during the demonstrations in Pokhara on Tuesday.
Anshuverma Group belongs to the son of Social Development, Youth and Sports minister of Gandaki while the minister's brother owned the Naya Bazaar-based showroom.
They were reportedly burned inside when protesters set fire to the buildings.
Nepal Army has reached the incident sites.
The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.
