Curfew reimposed in Nepal’s Bara after fresh clashes between Gen-Z protesters and UML cadres

(FILES) Nepal's army soldiers take their positions to disperse the protesters in front of the President House during a curfew imposed to restore law and order, in Kathmandu on September 12, 2025. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)

Curfew has been reimposed in Nepal’s Bara district following clashes between Gen-Z protesters and members of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist, led by ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The authorities have announced imposition of curfew restrictions in the area till 8 pm today.

Clashes that first broke out earlier this week escalated when groups of young demonstrators, who have been driving recent waves of political activism, came into direct confrontation with UML cadres during a series of tense face-offs.

Security personnel have been stationed at major intersections and sensitive areas across Bara to deter further unrest. Authorities continue to keep a close watch on developments as the district faces growing political instability and sporadic outbreaks of violence.

Despite reports that nearly a dozen CPN-UML workers were involved in the clashes, police detained only two people. This limited action has angered Gen-Z protesters, who accuse authorities of going soft on ruling party cadres.

Tensions rose after news emerged that CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and youth leader Mahesh Basnet were travelling from Kathmandu to Simara for an anti-government rally. As their Buddha Air flight was about to take off, protesters gathered at the airport and clashed with UML supporters who were also present.

The situation quickly spiralled out of control, forcing authorities to impose a curfew around the airport and nearby areas to prevent further violence. Bara District Magistrate Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said the curfew was a temporary measure to stop escalation and restore calm.

The repeated clashes highlight deepening political divisions in Nepal and the growing influence of the younger generation, who are increasingly challenging old power structures and calling for change.

This unrest follows major Gen-Z-led protests held a little over two months ago against a social media ban. Those demonstrations turned violent and eventually led to the fall of the KP Sharma Oli government.

On September 8, Kathmandu saw massive protests driven by years of anger over corruption and inequality. The situation worsened as violent clashes broke out between protesters and police, leaving at least 51 people dead and more than 1,300 injured. The following day, KP Sharma Oli resigned as prime minister.

Soon after, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister, becoming the first woman to hold the post. She announced that those killed during the protests would be declared "martyrs".

Karki also ordered a judicial inquiry into the killings, violence, arson and looting that took place during the unrest. She claimed the attacks on government and private property on September 9, carried out in the name of protests, were part of a larger conspiracy.