Ruptly
"Clashes erupted across Kathmandu on Saturday as supporters of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli took to the streets following his arrest over a deadly crackdown on protests last year. Footage shows police chasing demonstrators and using force to disperse crowds, while protesters hurled objects and set tyres ablaze. In several areas, including Baneshwor and Bhrikutimandap, roads were blocked as burning debris brought traffic to a standstill. "This is not just an attack on a leader of the Communist Party of Nepal or a leader of the Nepal Congress, but an attack on our democracy," said a protester, calling for Oli's immediate release. She described the arrest of the former PM and Home Minister as a 'political revenge' led by the newly formed government. Others warned that demonstrations could escalate into nationwide unrest if he is not freed. "We are only doing a symbolic peaceful protest today, but if our party's chairman is not freed by tonight, we will retaliate with a nationwide protest," said another protester. Authorities detained former prime minister Sharma Oli earlier on Saturday in connection with a culpable homicide case linked to the violent suppression of Nepal's 2025 protests, which eventually forced him from office. During the initial crackdown, at least 19 people were killed, while a later government investigation put the overall death toll from the unrest at 76. Former home minister Ramesh Lekhak was also taken into custody. A government panel recommended prosecuting both men, saying they failed to prevent the use of lethal force against demonstrators. The arrest triggered a sharp political backlash from the Communist Party of Nepal, which condemned the move as a 'political vendetta' and convened an emergency meeting to plan its response. Oli, 74, was later admitted to a hospital in Kathmandu for medical checks following his detention."
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