The death toll from this week’s violent anti-corruption protests in Nepal has risen to 51, police confirmed on Friday, as the scale of unrest that toppled the government continues to emerge.
Talks are underway between the president, protest leaders, the army, and potential interim government figures after days of turmoil that left parts of the country in flames. The military has imposed a curfew and taken control of the streets.
At least 21 protesters were killed — most during Monday’s police crackdown on demonstrations sparked by a ban on social media, corruption allegations, and widespread frustration with poor governance. By Tuesday, anger had reached a boiling point: protesters torched Nepal’s parliament, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned, and the army stepped in to restore order.
Authorities say more than 100 firearms looted during the chaos have since been recovered. Protesters were seen brandishing automatic rifles as clashes intensified.
Police spokesman Binod Ghimire told AFP:
“So far, 51 people have died this week in the protests, including at least 21 protesters and three policemen.”
Adding to the crisis, a mass prison break has left over 12,500 inmates on the run. Ghimire said about 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails across the country during the upheaval, though some have since been recaptured.
Several fugitives have been killed in clashes with security forces, while others attempting to flee across the border into India were intercepted by Indian authorities.
The scale of the violence and instability has rattled Nepal, with the army now tasked not only with maintaining order but also with hunting down thousands of fugitives still at large.
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