Authorities in Nepal’s Bara district imposed a curfew Thursday after young protesters clashed with supporters of the Communist Party, marking the second day of unrest in the southern region.
The confrontations near Simara town forced police to fire tear gas and suspend operations at the local airport. At least 10 people were injured in Wednesday’s initial clashes, including six police officers.
District officials ordered restrictions from 1 PM to 8 PM local time, banning public gatherings throughout Simara and surrounding areas. But protesters openly defied the order, returning to the streets by late morning.
“Curfew has been reimposed following the clash with police to bring the situation under control,” said Assistant Chief District Officer Chhabiraman Subedi.
The violence follows deadly September protests that killed 76 people and forced former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from power.
How tensions exploded
Trouble began Wednesday when news spread that CPN-UML leaders Shankar Pokharel and Mahesh Basnet planned to visit Bara district. The politicians intended to address a rally ahead of elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Young activists mobilized quickly through social media. By 10 AM Wednesday, between 100 and 150 protesters had gathered at Simara Chowk, a central intersection near the airport.
The demonstrators aimed to block the UML leaders’ arrival. Scuffles broke out as police attempted to clear the area. The situation deteriorated rapidly when both sides refused to back down.
Police fired tear gas canisters after protesters pelted stones. The airport suspended operations temporarily as the confrontation intensified right at its perimeter.
One protester later told local media that UML cadres attacked demonstrators with sticks and fists. Six young activists sustained injuries requiring medical treatment.
In Simara Bazaar, angry protesters set fire to a police outpost. They also stormed a CPN-UML office, removing and burning materials while accusing authorities of protecting party supporters.
The complaint that reignited protests
Gen Z activists filed formal complaints Wednesday naming six UML members they accused of orchestrating violence. They demanded immediate arrests.
By Thursday morning, police had detained only two people both local ward chairpersons elected on UML tickets. Dhan Bahadur Shrestha and Kaimudin Ansari were taken into custody on assault charges.
But protesters said the arrests were insufficient. Four other accused individuals remained free, fueling anger among demonstrators.
Samrat Upadhyaya, who coordinates Gen Z activities in Bara district, explained the group’s position: “Our demand is simple arrest the individuals who launched brutal attacks on us. Bara will remain tense until our demands are met.”
The 21-year-old activist had posted on Facebook Tuesday evening urging young people to demonstrate against what he called the “outgoing murderous government.” His message circulated widely, alarming security officials.
Thursday morning saw protesters gathering again at Simara Chowk despite the curfew order. When police moved to disperse them, fresh clashes erupted.
Airport chaos and economic impact
Simara Airport serves as a critical hub linking Bara district with Kathmandu. The facility handles both passenger flights and cargo shipments essential for the regional economy.
Wednesday’s suspension disrupted travel plans for dozens of passengers. The UML leaders’ scheduled Buddha Air flight never landed after authorities halted operations.
Thursday’s renewed protests threatened another shutdown. Airlines face difficult decisions about serving the airport while security remains uncertain.
The district’s commercial activity has suffered. Shops near protest sites closed early both days. Transport companies suspended bus services on several routes, fearing damage to vehicles.
Bara borders India’s Bihar state, making cross-border trade significant for local livelihoods. Extended disruptions could affect supply chains beyond Nepal’s borders.
The September shadow
Understanding current events requires looking back to September’s uprising.
Nationwide protests erupted after the government briefly banned social media platforms. What started as anger over internet restrictions quickly expanded into broader frustration with corruption, economic stagnation, and political accountability.
Demonstrators torched parliament buildings, courts, and government offices across Nepal. The violence claimed at least 76 lives over two days of intense clashes.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned September 9 under mounting pressure. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim leader days later.
Karki immediately recommended dissolving parliament. President Ram Chandra Paudel accepted the recommendation, scheduling fresh elections for March 2026.
But the September events left lasting scars. Hundreds of prisoners escaped during the chaos. Similar numbers of weapons were looted from police stations and remain unaccounted for.
Security experts worry these missing weapons could fuel future violence. The interim government faces challenges establishing order while preparing for elections.
Political fault lines
The CPN-UML has challenged parliament’s dissolution in Nepal’s Supreme Court. Party leaders argue the move was unconstitutional and demand reinstatement of the legislative body.
Meanwhile, UML has organized protests across Nepal demanding restoration of parliamentary authority. The party characterizes September’s uprising as mob rule that undermined democratic institutions.
Gen Z activists see things differently. They view the September movement as justified rebellion against entrenched corruption and political stagnation.
This generational divide defines Nepal’s current crisis. Older political structures insist on traditional parliamentary processes. Younger citizens demand fundamental accountability for past failures.
The Bara clashes crystallize these tensions. UML leaders attempting to campaign ahead of elections meet direct resistance from young people who helped topple their government.
Interim Prime Minister Karki has urged restraint from all sides. She emphasized her commitment to “ensure safe movement of leaders of all political parties and create a fair environment for elections.”
Karki also convened a meeting with representatives from more than 110 political parties. She stressed the importance of generational change in leadership.
“We want this country in the hands of a new generation managed by people with vision,” she told the gathering.
Who are Nepal’s Gen Z protesters?
The movement lacks centralized leadership or formal organization. Activists coordinate primarily through social media platforms, particularly Facebook and messaging apps.
Most participants are between ages 18 and 25. Many are students or young workers facing limited economic opportunities in Nepal’s stagnant economy.
Their demands center on accountability for September’s deaths, transparent governance, and protection of digital freedoms. Unlike traditional political movements, they reject party affiliations.
This decentralized structure frustrates authorities attempting to negotiate. There’s no single leader to bargain with or specific organization to pressure.
Manish Sapkota, spokesperson for the Gen Z Jitpur-Simara Municipal Committee, outlined the group’s position Thursday: “We are positive about negotiations. But we will not attend talks until the main individuals responsible for beatings are arrested.”
He emphasized that protesters avoided property destruction and arson during Thursday’s demonstrations, distinguishing their actions from earlier violence.
The broader context
Nepal, with 30 million people, has faced repeated political turmoil since its civil war ended in 2006. The country transitioned from monarchy to federal democratic republic, but governance remains unstable.
More than half Nepal’s population is under 30 years old. This demographic reality amplifies Gen Z voices demanding change.
Youth unemployment remains high despite economic growth. Many educated young people find limited opportunities in Nepal’s small formal economy.
Political positions have traditionally been dominated by aging leaders who’ve recycled through power for decades. The September uprising represented young people’s frustration with this system.
Whether Nepal can channel that energy into constructive reform or see it devolve into continued violence will shape the country’s trajectory for years.
What happens next
Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra invited protesters to talks Thursday at the District Administration Office in Kalaiya. But Gen Z representatives refused to participate while accused attackers remained free.
Authorities face difficult choices. Heavy-handed crackdowns risk escalating violence and martyring protesters. Yet allowing continued disruptions undermines government authority ahead of elections.
The UML must decide whether to proceed with campaign activities in Bara despite opposition. Canceling events shows weakness. Forcing them through risks more violence.
For protesters, maintaining momentum without exhausting public sympathy presents challenges. Most Nepalis want stability, not endless confrontation.
The coming weeks will test whether Nepal’s interim government can bridge divides before March elections. Success requires addressing youth grievances while preparing credible polls.
Failure could mean renewed large-scale violence threatening the entire electoral timeline.
The stakes
These clashes matter beyond Bara district.
Nepal’s democratic transition remains fragile. The country needs successful elections to restore legitimate governance. Continued unrest jeopardizes that process.
Regional stability is also at stake. Nepal sits between India and China, making its political direction significant for both neighbors.
More immediately, ordinary Nepalis suffer when violence disrupts daily life. Students miss school. Workers lose wages. Families fear leaving homes.
For Gen Z activists, the stakes are existential. They believe their generation’s future depends on fundamentally changing how Nepal is governed.
For established parties like UML, the challenge threatens their traditional political dominance. They must either adapt or risk irrelevance with Nepal’s young majority.
The Bara district curfew is one symptom of this larger struggle. How Nepal resolves these tensions will determine whether it achieves stable democracy or slides toward authoritarian backlash.
As Thursday’s curfew lifted at 8 PM, Simara remained tense but calm. Protesters agreed to pause demonstrations until Friday morning, contingent on further arrests.
The fragile peace won’t last without meaningful progress on core grievances. Nepal’s Gen Z has shown they won’t simply accept empty promises or return quietly to the margins. The next chapter of this story is still being written in the streets of Bara and across Nepal.
