Nepal under fire: Youth-led anger sparks burning protests

To restore order, the army and soldiers have been deployed across parts of Kathmandu

Last updated: September 10, 2025 | 13:16

Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor

2 MIN READ

This week, streets once peaceful have erupted into scenes of fiery unrest as tens of thousands—dominated by Gen Z protesters—stormed government buildings, torched institutions, and challenged a system seen as entrenched in corruption. Above, protesters celebrate at the Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal's government's various ministries and offices after it was set on fire during a protest against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu.

AFP

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Flames rise from the residence of Nepal President Ram Chandra Poudel after protesters set it ablaze during demonstrations. What began as backlash against a sudden ban on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube quickly morphed into broader demands for accountability, justice, and renewed governance, according to News reports.

AFP

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Fire rages through the Singha Durbar, the main administrative building for the Nepal government, in Kathmandu.

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Protesters lit fire on the road while protesting in Kathmandu.

ANI

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The violence has been devastating: at least 19 young demonstrators were shot dead by police, and hundreds more were injured.

AFP

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A protester draped in Nepal’s national flag stands as flames engulf the president’s office in Kathmandu.

AFP

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To restore order, the army and soldiers have been deployed across parts of Kathmandu, enforcing curfews as political leaders call for dialogue.

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Meanwhile, vital services like Tribhuvan International Airport have been disrupted, with flights cancelled or diverted, adding to the turmoil of a nation in flames.

AFP

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This uprising marks one of the most intense challenges Nepal has faced in decades—one that could reshape its political future.

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A protester carries a firearm as demonstrators gather outside Nepal's Supreme Court during a protest to condemn the police's deadly crackdown on demonstrators in Kathmandu.

AFP

Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor

Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.

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