Gen-Z’s peaceful protests spread across Rukum villages

By Our Correspondent,Rukum West, Sept. 10: Protests led by the Gen-Z have spread across several districts, with demonstrations turning violent in some places and curfews imposed in others.

In Dharan, a peaceful protest by the Gen-Z group is continuing in Dharan Sub-metropolitan City. Young people and social activists gathered at Bhanu Chowk on Tuesday, the second day of protests, following the deaths of 19 people in Kathmandu the previous day. 

Mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Harkaraj Rai joined the protesters and expressed his support.

In Tanahun, protesters stormed the Byas Municipality office premises and set fire to two vehicles, including one used by the mayor. 

Police confirmed the vehicles were destroyed despite fire engines being deployed. A prohibitory order has since been issued in Damauli, banning gatherings of more than five people.

“At 1 pm on Tuesday, protesters entered the Byas Municipality office premises and set fire to two vehicles,” according to Superintendent of Police Tek Bahadur Karki. One of the vehicles was used by the mayor.

Similarly, in Makwanpur, authorities declared a curfew in Hetauda from 1 pm to midnight on Tuesday after incidents of arson and rallies erupted in the city. 

Similarly, the District Administration Office in Dhanusha imposed a curfew in Janakpurdham, starting from 3 pm until further notice.

In Mahottari, Gen-Z protesters blocked the East-West Highway in Bardibas and Gaushala by burning tyres and staging sit-ins on the road. 

Hundreds of students, many in school uniforms, joined the protest, chanting slogans against the Prime Minister and accusing the government of corruption. Passengers and vehicles were left stranded on both sides of the highway.

Protests also spread to Saptari, where young people burned tyres in Rajbiraj and other locations, later gathering outside the District Administration Office to demand justice for those killed in Kathmandu.

The Gen-Z movement, which began as a peaceful call against corruption and for equal opportunities, has escalated into nationwide demonstrations, prompting authorities in multiple districts to impose restrictions to maintain law and order.

Following the nationwide demonstrations launched by the Gen-Z group from Monday, peaceful protests have now spread to various parts of Rukum West.

From early Tuesday morning, schoolchildren and youths in several locations of the district took to the streets, voicing their anger against the government’s brutal suppression of demonstrators, which resulted in the deaths of students and young people.

Protestors staged rallies and shouted strong slogans against the government. Local accounts suggest that students and youths joined the movement spontaneously.

RN Chand, President of the Child Club under Sheetal Secondary School in Chaurjahari, said the district’s young people were expressing solidarity with the Gen-Z movement against corruption and the government’s ban on social media. 

In Chaurjahari, separate rallies were organised by Gen-Z members and local youths, marching with slogans against the authorities.

Day of mourning declared

In response to the deaths of 19 protestors nationwide, several municipalities in Rukum West declared Tuesday a public holiday of mourning. 

Chaurjahari Municipality, Aathbiskot Municipality, and Banphikot Rural Municipality announced closures of their offices, as well as community and institutional schools under their jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, youths and locals in Sindhupalchok took to the streets on Tuesday, protesting against what they described as a government-led massacre and brutal crackdown on the Gen-Z movement. 

Demonstrations were held across Bahrabise, Chautara, Sukute and Melamchi bazaars, where participants raised slogans accusing the government of responsibility for the killings.

Among those killed was Shreekrishna Shrestha of Bahrabise Municipality-6, who, along with 19 others, lost his life after police opened fire on protestors. 

Dozens of injured youths from the district are currently receiving treatment in Kathmandu hospitals.

Angry locals and youths paid floral tributes to Shrestha while chanting slogans against the corruption and the government. 

Local youth leader Bikesh Lama said they had launched a campaign to build a statue of Shrestha and continue the movement in his memory.

Writers, poets, campaigners, and local activists joined the protests, expressing solidarity with the youth-led movement.

eanwhile, the District Administration Office in Bara has imposed a curfew in sensitive areas to prevent potential risks arising from the ongoinGen-Z movement.  In Kalaiya, demonstrators set fire to the offices of major political parties, including UML, Congress, and JSP.

 Protesters were also seen burning tyres in front of the Land Reform and Land Revenue Office. Security forces, however, said they used only minimal force to bring the situation under control.