Amid escalating youth-led protests across Nepal, the army has begun evacuating government ministers from the Vicepati area of Kathmandu by helicopter.
The move comes after repeated incidents of arson and vandalism at the residences of ministers and senior officials in the area, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Mass protests erupted on Monday, led by young activists demanding an end to corruption and opposing restrictions on social media platforms. Demonstrations spread to at least seven cities, including the capital, Kathmandu.
Clashes between protesters and security forces left at least 19 people dead and many others injured.
Protesters reportedly breached police barricades and attempted to enter the Parliament building, while also setting fire to ministers’ residences in Vicepati and causing extensive property damage.
To contain the unrest, authorities imposed a curfew in Kathmandu and deployed the military. Senior security officials in the South Asian nation confirmed that troops were stationed to protect the Parliament and that high-ranking officials are being safeguarded at military barracks.
