Kathmandu, Sept 20: Nearly two weeks after violent incidents erupted in the wake of the Gen-Z protest on September 8 and 9 (Bhadra 23 and 24), the government has yet to launch a full investigation. The protest, initially called by Gen-Z youths demanding action against corruption, was later marred by infiltration, vandalism, looting and arson that caused massive damage to public and private property across Nepal.
Despite the cabinet’s theoretical decision on September 16 to form a high-level judicial commission to probe the events, the body’s leadership and terms of reference remain undecided. As a result, evidence risks being destroyed and perpetrators may escape accountability, observers warn.
During the unrest, key state installations—including the Federal Parliament building in Baneshwor, the main government secretariat Singha Durbar, the President’s Office, the Prime Minister’s residence and the Supreme Court—came under attack. Residences of top political leaders such as former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal were also vandalised and set on fire.
Headquarters of major political parties, provincial assemblies, chief ministers’ offices, large businesses like Bhatbhateni, Hilton, Chandragiri Hills Cable Car, CG Digital, media houses like Kantipur Media Group and private properties suffered heavy losses. Thousands of vehicles were damaged, and 74 people were killed in connection with the turmoil.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has denied ordering police to open fire on demonstrators, saying the bullets that struck protesters did not match weapons issued to security forces. He has urged the government to investigate the source of the firearms used during the clashes.
The Gen-Z movement led to the fall of the previous CPN UML and Nepali Congress coalition government and paved the way for an interim “citizens’ government” headed by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, appointed on September 12 (Bhadra 27). Although Karki expanded her cabinet on September 15, the council of ministers is still incomplete, and the promised inquiry commission has not been set up.
Analysts stress that any delay will allow evidence to disappear and suspects to flee. Social media is already awash with photos and videos that could serve as vital proof, but only if collected promptly.
The Gen-Z uprising was rooted in widespread frustration over corruption, mis-governance and impunity. Protesters demand that those responsible for deadly shootings, infiltration, arson, looting and property destruction be brought to justice without delay. They also call for a powerful mechanism to investigate large-scale corruption cases dating back to 1990.
Good-governance advocates caution that forming a commission merely to shelve its report, as happened in past governments, will not satisfy the new generation. The administration must act decisively—establish the promised high-level judicial commission, amend laws if needed, and prosecute wrongdoers—to deliver justice and maintain public trust. #nepal #genz #destruction
