Kathmandu: Nepal’s capital remained under heavy military patrol on Wednesday following two days of violent anti-corruption protests that left at least 19 people dead and forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.

Troops were deployed across Kathmandu under an indefinite curfew after protesters set fire to parliament, the Supreme Court, and several ministers’ residences, including Oli’s private home. Authorities confirmed that around 25 people were detained on the outskirts of the city for allegedly attempting to incite further unrest.

President Ram Chandra Poudel has asked Oli to continue in a caretaker role, but his authority remains uncertain as political leaders scramble to find a solution to the crisis. Helicopters were used to evacuate senior officials from government buildings as violence escalated.

The unrest was triggered by public outrage over corruption allegations and the government’s decision to impose a social media ban. The ban, widely criticized as an attack on free expression, sparked large-scale demonstrations led primarily by young people. Protesters adopted the “Straw Hat Pirates” flag from the Japanese manga One Piece as their emblem, symbolizing resistance and freedom.

The turmoil has also disrupted international travel. Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was forced to suspend operations, leading to the diversion of flights to Lucknow and the cancellation of services by airlines including IndiGo, Air India, FlyDubai, and Thai Lion Air.

Although calm has returned to the streets under military watch, the country faces growing political uncertainty, with opposition parties and civil society groups calling for swift reforms to address corruption and restore public trust.