The Nepal Army has extended the prohibitory order and curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts until 6 am on Friday, September 12, as political unrest and protests continue to grip the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the Army announced that while the restrictions remain in force, essential service vehicles and institutions will be permitted to operate. To ease daily hardships, shops selling essentials will open for limited hours — from 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 7 pm — with residents urged to shop in small groups.
Public debate over Nepal’s interim leadership has intensified during the crisis. Many protesters and civic leaders, including Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen), have voiced support for appointing former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister, citing her legal experience and credibility.
“I believe only Sushila Karki has the knowledge and capability to run the country in this situation,” a protester in Kathmandu told ANI. Others, however, argued that Balen Shah himself should take charge of the interim government, highlighting his popularity among the youth.
The protests, which erupted on September 8 after the government banned major social media platforms citing tax and cybersecurity reasons, have quickly escalated into a nationwide movement against corruption and nepotism. So far, at least 30 people have been killed and over 500 injured in clashes with security forces.
Public anger has been further fuelled by revelations on social media about the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, widening the disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens.