Nepal marks year since protests killed 76, toppled govt

Dozens of young people gathered at Nepal's burnt-out parliament building in Kathmandu on Tuesday to mark one year since anti-corruption protests killed 76 people and brought down KP Sharma Oli's government.

The September 8-9, 2025 rallies were first sparked by anger over a brief government ban on social media and were also driven by frustration over economic hardship, corruption and entrenched political practices. The unrest led to the torching of parliament, the prime minister's office and other government buildings, and set in motion events that culminated in Balendra Shah's election as prime minister in March.

Banners showing people killed in the protests were hung in the parliament grounds. Shah wrote on X that he hoped the anniversary would inspire work toward a fairer, more transparent Nepal. Sushila Karki, who led Nepal as interim prime minister after Oli's government was overthrown, also paid tribute to those who died.

An inquiry commission submitted a report in April and recommended further investigations into several officials, including Oli. The report said 51 of the victims were shot dead, many in the head or chest.

Some attendees said accountability remained lacking. Former protester Aastha Shrestha said the political impact had been worth it, while Anish Acharya, who brought flowers to the gathering, said those responsible were still free.

The anniversary came as Shah's government handles rescue and recovery efforts after August 26 glacial floods on the border with China. Official tolls put the disaster at at least 1,399 deaths in the two countries, including 1,356 in Nepal, with 5,500 people still missing in Nepal and China.