Nepal honours slain Gen-Z protesters with national cremation: Video
Protesters killed during recent anti-corruption demonstrations led by Nepal's Gen-Z movement were cremated with national honours on Tuesday, September 16, in Kathmandu.
The ceremony was held at the request of Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. According to local media, the funeral procession began at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, passed through Chabahil, and concluded at Pashupatinath Temple.
Shortly after assuming office, Prime Minister Karki announced the first set of decisions taken by her administration. Among them was the formal recognition of those killed in the protests on September 8 and 9 as martyrs.
On Monday, September 15, the government declared September 17 a national day of mourning in honour of the victim and also committed to providing approximately 100,000 Nepalese rupees ($800) for funeral arrangements and 1.5 million rupees ($12,000) in compensation to each bereaved family.
The demonstrations followed a brief nationwide ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. Authorities cited the need to combat hate speech and fraud and stated that the action was meant to "address the demands of Gen Z." However, the move was quickly reversed and intensified public anger.
The protests spread from Kathmandu to border towns such as Nepalgunj. Schools and businesses were closed, and demonstrators blocked roads using burning tyres.
According to media reports citing Nepal’s health ministry, the death toll has surpassed 70.
The unrest resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. On Friday, September 12, Karki, a former Chief Justice, was appointed as the interim prime minister.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
