Normalcy Restored in Nepal's Bara District Post-Clashes

Kathmandu, Nov 21 (PTI) - The curfew has been lifted and normalcy has returned in areas of Bara district in southern Nepal, bordering India, which had recently experienced violent clashes involving Gen Z youths and members of the ex-prime minister K P Sharma Oli's party.

With the curfew lifted on Friday, markets have reopened, schools have resumed, and transportation services have restarted, signaling a restoration of daily activities throughout the district.

"The situation in Bara is back to normal, and the curfew that was in place for the past two days has been lifted today," stated Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, Chief District Officer of Bara, in an interview with PTI.

The unrest began on Wednesday when three cadres from the CPN-UML party allegedly assaulted Gen Z youths during a peaceful protest at Simara Airport, resulting in at least 10 injuries.

The youths were demonstrating against the planned visit of UML leaders Shanker Pokharel and Mahesh Basnet, holding the party responsible for the September 8 crackdown that resulted in 76 deaths.

In response to the escalating situation, Buddha Airlines canceled its flight from Kathmandu to Simara on Wednesday, and clashes ensued between Gen Z protesters and UML supporters, prompting local authorities to impose a curfew.

"We are currently in discussions with the agitated Gen Z youths, urging them to remain calm," Mishra added, noting that their primary demand is punitive action against the UML cadres accused of attacking the protesters.

Prior to this, officials had invited the Gen Z group for dialogue on Thursday, but the group refused until those identified in their complaint were apprehended.

Authorities have so far arrested three out of the six individuals named in the complaint, including two elected ward chairs from the UML, Dhan Bahadur Shrestha and Kaimuddin Ansari, on Thursday.

According to the Kathmandu Post, Deputy Superintendent of Police Bijayaraj Pandit confirmed that the detainees are being held at the District Police Office in Kalaiya.

The ousted Oli's CPN-UML has been staging protests throughout Nepal, calling for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives, which was dissolved on September 12 following the Gen Z movement that ousted the Oli government.

Oli resigned on September 9 amid massive Gen Z protests demanding accountability for the alleged mass killing of protesters on the same day during rallies against corruption and the then-contemplated social media ban by the Oli administration.

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