Former Leaders Held as New Nepal Government Faces Backlash

A former prime minister was taken into custody in the early hours of Saturday, following a series of violent demonstrations that ended with the collapse of the previous administration and set the stage for fresh elections. The man arrested, a key figure in the Communist Party, was seized at his home outside Kathmandu by police officers in riot gear. The same day, a former interior minister was also detained at his residence for allegedly directing forces to shoot at demonstrators. These arrests come after the country’s latest government was sworn in, led by a singer-turned-politician who won decisively under the banner of a newly formed party. The new leadership has emphasized that no individual is exempt from legal scrutiny, insisting the actions taken are a step toward fairness rather than vengeance.An investigative body set up by the interim authorities had previously recommended that both leaders, along with the police chief at the time of the unrest, face up to a decade in prison. The operation involved several trucks carrying officers who moved quickly from the suspects’ homes to a district police station for processing. Supporters of the former prime minister reacted angrily. Hundreds gathered near his office, chanting slogans against the new government and setting tires ablaze. Police used batons to disperse the crowd, but no serious injuries were reported. Seven protestors were detained during the confrontation. The events that led to this point began in September, when protests against corruption and governance failures turned deadly. Over 70 people lost their lives, more than 2, 300 were hurt, and the offices of top officials were burned. The turmoil forced several politicians to flee in helicopters, leaving a deep scar on the nation’s political landscape.