Deposed PM Oli-led UML, Gen Z Youths Face Off in Kathmandu

PTI, KATHMANDU, NOV 21, 2025: Nepal’s Gen Z groups and supporters of the CPN-UML led by deposed Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli once again came face to face in the capital, Kathmandu, on Friday, a couple of days after clashes between them led to a curfew in Bara district. Dozens of injured youths from the Gen Z group staged a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu to protest against ex-Prime Minister Oli, whom they hold responsible for the September 8 crackdown on student protests in which 76 people were killed.

The Friday protests followed a CPN-UML rally in the nearby Baneshwor-Babarmahal area, where the party’s chief, Oli, announced the formation of the National Volunteers Force to provide protection to UML leaders and cadres. Both the UML rally and the Gen Z protests were organised at the same time and nearly at the same venue, with a large number of riot policemen deployed to ensure security and prevent clashes.

“Arrest the corrupt leaders,” “Arrest the murderers,” “Where is the probe commission?” and “Fulfil the demands of Gen Z group” were among the slogans written on the placards carried by the Gen Z youths, who had been injured during the deadly protests in September.

A day earlier, tensions had escalated after 10 people were injured in clashes between Gen Z youths and members of Oli's party, prompting authorities to impose a curfew to control the situation in Nepal's Bara district, which borders India. However, life returned to normal in Bara district on Friday after the curfew was lifted.

The situation was brought under control after the police arrested three cadres of the CPN-UML who had been involved in beating up Gen Z youths who were staging peaceful protests at Simara Airport on Wednesday.

The Oli-led CPN-UML has become the main target of the Gen Z youths due to aggressive actions and hostile remarks made by certain UML leaders, including former Prime Minister Oli and youth leader Mahesh Basnet, against the Gen Z. While other political parties, including the Nepali Congress and the Nepali Communist Party, have adopted a soft attitude towards Gen Z and welcomed the general election scheduled for March 5, Oli's party has opposed the general election and has been campaigning for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives, alongside demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.