Nepal Gen Z protests: Death toll hits 51, 12k+ prisoners at large; uncertainty over interim PM continues – Key points

At least 51 lives have been claimed and 1,368 injured amid the ongoing Gen Z protests which toppled the government in Nepal, as per the data released by the health ministry.

The protests erupted over KP Oli-led government's decision to ban multiple social media platforms. The demonstrations snowballed into violent anti-government protests, leading to the resignation of the prime minister and the president.

Here are the top development

• A high-level meeting between Nepal's army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and the CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders will take place at the President's House. Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel is also expected to take part in the meeting.
• However, the youth-led Gen Z group proposed Karki's name for the post of new prime minister, news agency PTI reported citing multiple sources.
• According to news agency PTI, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is likely to be appointed as the head of a caretaker government. If confirmed, Karki will become first female prime minister of Nepal.
• Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah 'Balen' has also voiced his support for Karki, strengthening her standing as the probable candidate of the Gen Z movement.
• More than 12,500 prisoners who escaped from multiple jails countrywide during the chaos remain on the run, he added.
• This comes after two options were considered for forming the new government: dissolving Parliament or retaining it. However, the agitating group has agreed to seek a solution within the constitutional framework.
• Meanwhile, the overnight curfew has been relaxed for four hours from 7 am to 11 am to allow people time to ease into daily life. Restrictive orders will be in place across the country from 11 am to 5 pm, followed by a two-hour window before curfew resumes from 7 pm to 6 am the next day.
• Protesters have been demanding an end to " institutionalised corruption and favouritism" in governance. They want the government to be more accountable and transparent in its decision-making processes.
• Public frustration deepened further when the "Nepo Babies" trend on social media exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children, highlighting the economic disparity between them and ordinary citizens.