Nepal youth demand release of govt report into deadly September uprising

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, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Prakash Timalsina)

KATHMANDU - Nepali youth staged a demonstration in Kathmandu Sunday, demanding the release of findings into the deadly 2025 uprising, which forced the previous government to collapse.

At least 77 people were killed in the September 8-9 protests which began over a brief social media ban, but tapped into longstanding fury over corruption and economic hardship. No one has been held accountable for the deaths.

Just days after Nepal went to the polls March 5, interim leader Sushila Karki formed a commission to probe the violence -- in which parliament and scores of government buildings were set ablaze.

More than 200 people were questioned, including ousted former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, and a 900-page report with an additional 8,000 pages of evidence were submitted to the commission for investigation.

“We are here seeking the report of why the incident happened, why so many youths were killed,” Sanatan Rijal, a 26-year-old activist told AFP.

Laxmi Ghimire, another activist at Sunday’s protest, said “promoting a motto of good governance will not make the country and its people feel it”.

Sunday’s demonstration is one of many that have erupted in Nepal’s capital over the past week calling on the interim government for transparency.

Karki said the interim government would make a summary of findings public but would entrust the newly elected Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who are expected to be sworn in next week, with how to implement any of the commission’s possible recommendations.

The RSP campaigned alongside popular rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, presenting him as its prime-ministerial candidate.

Shah, 35, defeated veteran four-time premier KP Sharma Oli whose Marxist-led government was ousted during last year’s protests.

His upset victory and rapid rise from Kathmandu mayor to expected prime minister mark one of the most dramatic shifts in recent Nepali politics.