Kathmandu appears somewhat calmer today compared to Tuesday. The Nepal Army has been deployed to major intersections, setting up barricades to completely block inner roads. They are using loudspeakers to warn people to stay indoors and avoid using alleyways unless absolutely necessary.
In the early morning, some petrol pumps, grocery stores, and other essential service businesses were open, but they began to close down after nine in the morning.
The burnt remains of traffic posts and vehicles torched by Gen Z protesters are scattered across the streets.
This morning, municipal police in Kathmandu tried to clear the debris of the burnt vehicles but found it difficult to remove the large quantity of charred tires, documents, and other items. They reported a lack of sufficient personnel and vehicles to manage the cleanup.
Widespread destruction
In the Bouddha area, a large number of people have come out to witness yesterday's destruction. Most of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) offices and police posts in Kathmandu were set on fire by Gen Z.
The DSP office in front of the Bouddha Stupa is still smoldering. The Bhatbhateni store in front of the Hyatt Hotel was completely destroyed and has been burning for 19 hours. The army increased its presence near the store after 9 am, but many civilians remain outside their homes. The flammable materials inside the store and the lack of fire engines have put nearby houses at risk.
The Nepal Army has also increased its presence at Chabahil Chowk and has blocked access to Ganesthan and Pashupati Campus with barricades. The DSP office on the right side of the road leading to Gaushala Chowk and Pashupati was completely destroyed. Police personnel had to flee to save their lives after being attacked with stones.
Hilton Hotel in Lazimpat has been burning for 20 hours, with visible flames. A fire has also just started at the Federal Secretariat Construction and Management office in Lazimpat.
Key government and public buildings attacked
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the prime minister's (PM) residence in Baluwatar, and the President's Office in Maharajgunj have all been completely destroyed. The former PM KP Sharma Oli and all the ministers are currently under the protection of the Nepal Army who have moved them to a secure location. Minister for Communications and Information Technology in the Oli Cabinet Prithvi Subba Gurung has confirmed that they are in a secure place.
The situation at Singha Durbar is grim. The western facade of the building is still on fire and has been for over 20 hours, despite the efforts of the Nepal Army's firefighters. Most of the ministries and parliamentary party offices within Singha Durbar are in ruins. The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction is also completely burned, with the fire having raged for 19 hours.
The Ministry of Health and Population on Ram Shah Path is also completely destroyed. Employees reported that nothing was left. Over 100 burnt vehicles can be seen in the ministry's premises, and nearly all vehicles within the Singha Durbar compound were vandalized and set on fire.
The Supreme Court has been reduced to a pile of ash. More than 60,000 case files were burned, and the remaining documents are scattered all over the main road. The adjacent Office of the Attorney General, a newly constructed building, was also set on fire. The District Public Prosecutor's office in Maitighar, another new building, has also been damaged.
Increased security
The Nepal Army has been deployed to the western gate of Singha Durbar and is increasing security checks on the road from Maitighar. They are stopping and questioning both drivers and pedestrians, and according to locals, they are also conducting searches in some areas.
