Historic Structures and Key National Archives Lost

Escalation of Protests into Widespread Destruction

What began as a peaceful demonstration against corruption in Kathmandu quickly spiraled into chaos, leading to widespread destruction of both public and private properties. The situation escalated dramatically after the state's involvement in the deaths of 19 Gen Z protesters, triggering an outburst of anger among young people across the city.

On Tuesday, hundreds of youths gathered in various locations from the early morning, initially chanting slogans to express their frustration. However, the protests soon turned into an anarchic mob, with participants engaging in destructive behavior that extended beyond mere demonstrations.

The initial focus of the unrest was on the homes of outgoing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other political leaders. Protesters also seized control of key government buildings, including those under the legislature, judiciary, and executive branches. One of the first targets was the federal parliament building located in New Baneshwar, which was set ablaze. This marked a significant escalation in the violence, as police had previously used force during similar attempts on Monday, resulting in several youth fatalities.

As the day progressed, the crowd grew larger and spread to different parts of the city. Protesters broke through the western gate of Singha Durbar, the main administrative building, and set fire to several ministries, including the Prime Minister's Office. Among the most affected were the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Population. These attacks not only damaged physical structures but also destroyed important documents of national and historical significance.

The Supreme Court building was also targeted, with the entire structure engulfed in flames. According to an official at the court, almost nothing survived the fire. All legal documents and verdicts were reduced to ashes, marking a significant loss for the country's judicial system.

In addition to the destruction of government buildings, protesters vandalized dozens of vehicles parked within Singha Durbar. Fires continued late into the evening, with no signs of abating. The chaos extended to the Bhaisepati-based ministerial quarters, where ministers were airlifted before the newly constructed buildings were set on fire. Social media videos showed protesters looting arms from security forces at Sigha Durbar, further intensifying the violence.

The destruction did not stop at the federal capital. Provincial assembly buildings, government offices, and personal properties of elected representatives were also attacked. According to preliminary police reports, vandalism and arson have been reported in at least 17 districts, highlighting the widespread nature of the unrest.

While the protest initially started as a Gen Z-led movement against corruption, it quickly transformed into an act of extreme anarchism. Despite the claims of the Gen Z campaigners that attacking or torching properties was never their intention, the events of the day clearly demonstrated a shift towards more violent and destructive actions.

The aftermath of the protests has left a lasting impact on the nation, with significant damage to critical infrastructure and historical records. As the country grapples with the consequences of this unrest, questions remain about how such a peaceful movement could spiral into such widespread destruction.