Nepal’s Gen Z Group Demands Ex-PM Oli’s Arrest Over Protesters’ Deaths

Last Updated:September 21, 2025, 05:35 IST

However, in his first public statement since his ouster, Oli denied giving any orders to fire at the protesters

The Nepal protests left over 70 dead. (File photo: X)

The so-called “Gen Z” group in Nepal has demanded the immediate arrest of ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, holding them responsible for a fatal police shootout that claimed at least 19 lives during anti-government protests on September 8. The group, which has been spearheading the youth-led protests, called for the arrests on Saturday, citing the former officials’ alleged misuse of state power to suppress a peaceful movement.

According to a press conference held by the group, advisor Dr Nicholas Bhusal stated that Oli, Lekhak, and Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal should be immediately taken into custody. The group accuses them of being “directly responsible for the shootout” at Naya Baneshwor, where the protests turned violent. 

The protests, initially sparked by a government ban on social media, quickly evolved into a nationwide movement against widespread corruption, nepotism, and poor governance. The youth, many of whom were students in their school uniforms, took to the streets in what was described as an unprecedented show of defiance against the political elite.

The violence on September 8 saw police use tear gas, water cannons, and eventually live ammunition on the demonstrators, which led to the tragic loss of life and prompted Lekhak’s resignation on “moral grounds” shortly after. The escalating unrest eventually led to the resignation of Prime Minister Oli himself on September 9, as protesters set fire to his private residence and other government buildings.

In his first public statement since his ouster, Oli denied giving any orders to fire at the protesters. He claimed that the bullets were fired from “automatic guns” that the police did not possess and called for a high-level probe into the matter. However, the “Gen Z” group is not backing down, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the wealth of all high-ranking officials and leaders since 1990, underscoring their broader demand for systemic change.

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