Nepal Gen Z protests: Death toll rises to 34; high-level crisis meeting scheduled at President's House

The death toll from the ongoing Gen Z protests in the Kathmandu Valley has climbed to 34 as reported by news agency ANI citing data released by the Ministry of Health and Population of NepalAccording to The Himalayan Times over 1368 people have been injured amid the protests across the country reported ANIThe ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki stated that the majority of those injured have already received treatment and been discharged with 949 people sent home from hospitals so far reported ANICurrently 58 patients remain at the Trauma Centre 48 at Civil Service Hospital 35 at Kathmandu Medical College 25 at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital TUTH and 26 at Birendra Military Hospital reported ANIMeanwhile a highlevel meeting between Nepals Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and the CPN Maoist Centre leaders will take place at the Presidents House on Friday Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel is also expected to take part in the meetingEarlier on Thursday the leaders of the GenZ protest in a press conference also collectively endorsed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as their nominee for interim Prime Minister citing her integrity and independence following the resignation of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after widespread protests across the nationYouth leaders at the forefront of the demonstrations have also stated that the widespread corruption and political stagnation were the core reasons behind their mass mobilisation against the governmentWe are staging this movement against corruption as it is rampant said Gen Z leader Diwakar Dangal echoing the frustrations of thousands of young Nepalese who have taken to the streets in Kathmandu and other major cities since September 8 reported ANIAnother Gen Z leader Junal Gadal emphasised the choice of leadership for the transition phase stating We should choose Sushila Karki as the best option as the guardian of the country Karki Nepals first female Chief Justice is widely regarded for her stance against judicial and political corruption reported ANIThe Gen Zled movement which initially began as a peaceful protest has seen moments of violence and chaos which the leaders blame on political infiltratorsWe had called for a peaceful protest but the political cadres caused the arson and then vandalised the infrastructure said Gen Z leader Anil Baniya We are not trying to change the constitution but to make necessary amendments to it Through online surveys the Gen Z leaders voted for Sushila Karki Within six months we will head to elections reported ANIKathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah Balen has also voiced his support for Karki strengthening her standing as the probable candidate of the Gen Z movementThe protests began on September 8 2025 in Kathmandu and other major cities including Pokhara Butwal and Birgunj following the governments imposition of a ban on major social media platforms citing concerns over tax revenue and cybersecurityCurfew was imposed in several cities including Kathmandu to control the situation which will continue till 5 pm today and will again be imposed from 7 pm until 6 am on Saturday as per a statement issued by the Nepalese ArmyProtesters have been demanding an end to institutionalised corruption and favouritism in governance They want the government to be more accountable and transparent in its decisionmaking processes reported ANIPublic frustration deepened further when the Nepo Babies trend on social media exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians children highlighting the economic disparity between them and ordinary citizensWith inputs from ANI