Nepal - “Shot like enemies”

The September 2025 protests in Nepal, driven by Gen Z frustration over systemic corruption and stagnant leadership, culminated in a violent government crackdown that left dozens dead and triggered a total political collapse. Forensic analysis of thousands of videos and leaked police radio logs reveals that authorities, including senior officials, authorized lethal force against peaceful demonstrators, including 17-year-old student Shriyam Chaulagai. This state violence transformed widespread dissent into a nationwide uprising, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the subsequent election of a new generation of leaders. While a government commission has investigated the events, accountability remains elusive as key figures deny responsibility for the escalation. The upheaval fundamentally reshaped Nepal’s political landscape, marking a decisive shift toward a younger, reform-oriented government while leaving families of victims seeking justice for the lives lost during the two-day crisis.