Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as youth-led protests against corruption and a sweeping social-media blackout escalated into some of the deadliest street clashes in years, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than a hundred injured. Demonstrators defied curfews, stormed political compounds, and set homes ablaze, prompting authorities to reverse the ban even as unrest spread across Kathmandu and beyond.

Death Toll and Ban Reversal

Officials confirmed the government lifted the social-media ban less than a day after violence flared, with authorities acknowledging the scope of casualties and injuries from Monday’s clashes. The ban had blocked dozens of platforms until they registered locally, a move that spurred mass mobilization among young Nepalis who organized largely online.

Residences Attacked, Curfew Defied

Protesters breached curfews to attack the homes and properties of senior politicians in and around the capital. Oli’s private residence was set on fire, though aides said he remained in Kathmandu and was unharmed; crowds also targeted other top officials’ compounds amid running battles with security forces.

“They Have Lost All Moral Ground”

Movement leaders accused the government of deadly overreach during the crackdown. “Our first demand is that this government should immediately resign because they have lost all moral ground after having killed so many of our brothers and sisters yesterday,” said protest organizer Sudan Gurung in a video message circulated Tuesday.

Youth Demands and Next Steps

With the ban revoked, demonstrators pressed for an interim administration led by youth representatives and a roadmap to early elections. Analysts said the turmoil reflects deeper anger over corruption and governance failures that predate the blackout, signaling a protracted contest over legitimacy even after the prime minister’s exit.

Regional Echoes, Uncertain Horizon

Oli’s resignation makes Nepal the third South Asian country in recent years where mass protests forced political change, following upheavals in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Airports and key sites faced disruptions as authorities struggled to restore order, underscoring the scale of the challenge now facing any caretaker government.