Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on Monday evening following the deadliest unrest in two decades, which has so far claimed 19 lives.
According to sources, Lekhak submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during an emergency cabinet meeting at the latter’s official residence. A source confirmed that Lekhak had earlier conveyed to the Nepali Congress meeting that he would step down on moral grounds.
The resignation comes after nationwide protests against corruption and a government-imposed social media ban turned violent. At least 17 people were killed in Kathmandu alone, while two more deaths were reported in Sunsari district’s Itahari city.
Authorities have imposed curfews in several parts of the country to control the situation. In Kathmandu and other districts, restrictions on gatherings and protests have been announced.
The Rupandehi District Administration Office enforced curfew orders in Butwal and Bhairahawa between 4 pm and 10 pm on Monday. Chief District Officer Tokraj Pandey said the curfew prohibits rallies, sit-ins, meetings, or gatherings within designated areas.
In Butwal, restrictions apply from Dhago Karkhana Bridge in the east to Belbas Chowk in the west, Chidiyakhola in the north to Mangalpur in the south. In Bhairahawa, the curfew zone extends from Rohinikhola Bridge in the east to Bethari Bridge in the west, Buddha Chowk in the north to Meudihawa in the south. Gatherings within 100 metres of the Butwal-Belahiya road have also been banned.
Meanwhile, in Itahari of Sunsari district, a curfew was declared around the main square after protests escalated. Chief District Officer Dharmendra Mishra said the curfew will remain in place until further notice.
-ANI