Nepal Gen-Z protests live updates: Curfew reimposed in Nepal's Bara as fresh clashes erupt; protesters accuse police of no action

Unrest in Nepal’s Bara District intensified for the second straight day on Thursday, as young protesters identifying themselves as Gen Zers returned to the streets of Simara after a violent clash with CPN-UML cadres the previous day. The renewed agitation has pushed local authorities to reimpose a strict curfew from 1 PM to 8 PM (local time), with police and administrative officials struggling to contain the fast-escalating situation. Assistant Chief District Officer Chhabiraman Subedi confirmed the curfew, stating it was essential to restore order after protesters clashed with security personnel early Thursday morning.

The Gen Z demonstrators remain enraged over what they describe as police inaction following their complaint naming six UML cadres allegedly involved in Wednesday’s confrontation, which left six youths injured. Tensions rose sharply when police fired tear gas near Simara Airport to disperse swelling crowds, disrupting airport operations and compounding concerns over public safety. Meanwhile, authorities detained two ward chairs—Dhan Bahadur Shrestha of Ward 2 and Kaimudin Ansari of Ward 6—in connection with the earlier violence, though protesters insist the primary perpetrators have yet to be arrested.

The flare-up comes against the backdrop of heightened political sensitivity in Nepal. UML leaders had planned to visit Bara ahead of the national elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, a move that added friction in an already fragile environment. Security experts have also raised alarms over the broader national landscape, noting that hundreds of escaped inmates and unaccounted weapons from the September uprising remain a looming threat.

The country is still reeling from the political upheaval that toppled former Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli in September, following two days of mass protests that left 76 people dead. In the aftermath, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki assumed the premiership on September 12 and immediately recommended dissolving parliament to clear the path for early elections. President Ram Chandra Paudel endorsed the move, formally setting the election date for March 5, 2026.

As tensions persist in Bara, today’s live blog will bring real-time updates on the evolving security situation, political reactions, and the broader implications for Nepal’s turbulent transition.