Kathmandu, 9 Sep

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday in the face of massive anti-government protests with the demonstrators attacking private residences of several top politicians, including President Ramchandra Paudel, and vandalising the parliament.

The students-led protests reflected the growing public anger with the political class over a range of issues including a ban on social media and alleged corruption with demonstrators gathering at the heart of Kathmandu and elsewhere despite curfews and heavy deployment of security forces.

Oli stepped down shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office shouting slogans demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during the protests on Monday, officials said.

Demonstrations were reported from Kalanki and Baneshwor in Kathmandu, as well as the Chapagaun-Thecho area of Lalitpur district. Protesters, mostly students, chanted slogans such as “Don’t kill students,” defying the restrictions on public gatherings.

In Kalanki, demonstrators reportedly burnt tyres to block roads from the early hours of the morning, according to eyewitness accounts.

The protesters shouted slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (KP Sharma Oli is a thief, quit the country), “Take action against corrupt leaders”.

The agitating youths also pelted stones at the residence of Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung in Sunakothi at Lalitpur district, eye witnesses said.

Gurung had ordered ban on the social media sites.

The protesters vandalised the residence of former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' at Khumaltar in Lalitpur.

They also demonstrated in front of former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba's house at Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu.

Authorities have enforced curfews across Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office announced a curfew from 8:30 am until further notice in the capital city.

Bhaktapur district administration also imposed restrictions from 8:30 am until further notice in Madhyapur Thimi, Suryabinayak, Changunarayan and Bhaktapur municipalities.

Lalitpur’s curfew applies from 9 am to midnight in several areas, including Bhaisepati, Sanepa and Chyasal.

Violent protests by youths against a government ban on social media sites rocked Nepal on Monday, with police's use of force leaving at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured.

The Nepali Army was deployed in the capital after the situation deteriorated. The army personnel took control of the roads surrounding the parliament complex in New Baneshwor.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned later over the situation.