Authorities said they imposed the emergency order to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. (Photo: PTI)
Nepal enforced a sudden curfew in Bara district on Wednesday after a major confrontation erupted between Gen Z protesters and workers of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s party, the CPN-UML. The district lies close to the India-Nepal border, and officials said the situation became tense within minutes as both groups gathered in large numbers near Simara Airport.
Authorities said they imposed the emergency order to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. The decision came as political tensions continue to rise following the collapse of the Oli-led government earlier this year.
The Bara District Administration Office announced that the curfew would remain in place within a 500-meter radius of Simara Airport from 12:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Officials said they had no option but to enforce strict restrictions after hundreds of young Gen Z protesters gathered at the airport and shouted slogans against the CPN-UML.
Police said the crowd assembled shortly before CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and party youth leader Mahesh Basnet were scheduled to land in Simara. They were arriving to address an anti-government public gathering.
As the news spread, protesters rushed to the airport. This led to heated clashes with local CPN-UML workers.
Security forces struggled to separate the two groups as the confrontation grew. Witnesses said the situation escalated when protesters attempted to block access to the airport.
Officials immediately enforced a curfew around the airport area. They said the restrictions were necessary to “maintain public order” and to ensure no further violence occurred.
The clash marks one of the most significant confrontations since the rise of the Gen Z movement, which has been demanding transparency, accountability, and reforms in Nepal’s political system.
Following the unrest, Buddha Air cancelled all flights from Kathmandu to Simara for the day. Airline officials said they decided due to safety concerns, as the airport vicinity remained tense.
The CPN-UML has been holding nationwide protests demanding the restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives. The dissolution took place on September 12 after a surge of Gen Z-led demonstrations. The movement had played a key role in the downfall of the government led by KP Sharma Oli.
Gen Z activists said they are determined to continue their protest until authorities take responsibility for alleged violence during anti-corruption demonstrations on September 9.
They claim the previous Oli administration attempted to silence dissent by proposing a social media ban and using excessive force during protests.
Authorities said further investigation is underway.
