With chaos and protests unrelenting in Nepal, Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel appealed the citizens for peace and urged the protesters citizens not resort to arson and looting .He said Army would assume command of national security operations and called on the citizens to act with responsibility and restraint.
Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel addressed the citizens and announced that it would assume command of national security operations from 10 PM on Tuesday (Sep 9). The decision came amid violent protests in Nepal that have forced Prime Minister KP Oli to resign and flee the country. The Army warned that certain groups are exploiting the unrest to cause harm to civilians and public property.
The Directorate of Public Relations said that all security forces, including the Nepal Army, will be fully mobilised if violence continues. Army Chief General Sigdel also urged protest leaders to call off demonstrations and engage in dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. In a video address, he expressed condolences to families of those killed and injured, and urged protesters to not target national heritage, private or public property, or diplomatic sites. Sigdel reaffirmed the Army's commitment to protecting national unity, sovereignty, and peace, calling on citizens to act with responsibility and restraint.
Amid the unrest, the Nepal Army and senior security officials issued joint appeals urging restraint and dialogue as the only way to restore stability. The Army pledged to protect the country’s independence, sovereignty, and citizens’ lives and property while analysing the Gen Z movement’s developments. Protesters have defied curfews, setting fire to vehicles, schools, and ministers’ homes, including those of former PMs Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Authorities warned that continued violence would mobilise all security mechanisms to contain the situation, even as the Army encouraged citizens and protesters to maintain social harmony and national unity
Earlier, the Nepal Army issued a statement urging protesters to remain calm and uphold national unity. The statement came after Oli's resignation. It stated that Army is closely monitoring the developments related to the Gen Z movement and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nepal’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Nepal is on the boil after its youngsters took to the streets to protest against the government. As the protest turned violent, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigned and reportedly fled to Dubai via chopper, with safe passage arranged by the Nepal Army chief. Angry protesters torched Parliament, the PM's residence and the President's house. Several ministers, including Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, were assaulted by protesters. As the protesters set ablaze homes of various politicians, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of Nepal's ex-prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, succumbed to her injuries after her house was set on fire.
The current crisis began on September 4 when the government blocked 26 social media platforms, sparking outrage among Gen Z citizens already frustrated by corruption and lack of accountability. The heavy-handed response by security forces escalated tensions, leading to the deaths of 19 people in a single day. Despite the government lifting the ban, public anger only intensified, with protesters demanding systemic reform.
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