Kathmandu : The fallen Gen-Z protesters Nepal honored during last week’s demonstrations received full national rites on Tuesday. Newly-appointed government ministers attended the cremation ceremony in the capital, paying tribute to the youths who lost their lives.
The first cabinet meeting of the new government on Monday declared those who died on September 8 and 9 as martyrs. Interim ministers Kulman Ghising and Om Prakash Aryal attended the ceremony, where officials draped the national flag over the deceased at Pashupatinath Temple. Armed Police personnel saluted the martyrs as the funeral procession moved from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital to the cremation site.
The cabinet announced a day of mourning on September 17, flying the national flag at half-mast. Officials confirmed that injured protestors will receive free medical treatment and announced plans to construct a Gen-Z Memorial Park.
Police reported that at least 72 people died during the anti-government protests, and hundreds remain hospitalized. The demonstrations, organized by Gen-Z youths against corruption and social media restrictions, turned violent when police opened fire, killing 19 on the first day.
The deaths sparked public anger, and protestors vandalized government buildings and private properties, including business enterprises. The unrest forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign.
Top political leaders who had lost public credibility started reappearing. On Tuesday, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, visited his party headquarters, which protestors had burned.
Protestors destroyed offices of the Maoist Centre, CPN (UML), Nepali Congress, and damaged leaders’ residences. The country now faces a sensitive period as authorities work to restore order and honor the sacrifices of the Gen-Z youth.
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