The Anti-corruption protests in The Nepalese Capital Kathmandu Have Reached a Boiling Point as Police Shot Dead at Least Nineteen Protesters. Nu.nl Spoke with Readers who are currently there. “The Streets Belong to the Protesters.”
The Government of Nepal Decided Last Week to Block Access to Various Social Media, which Led to much Unrest Among Mainly Young People, Who Have Massively Rebelled. The Blockade of the Social Media Platforms Has Since Been Lifted, but the focus of the demonstrations is now Mainly on Government Corruption.
Mountaineer Merel van Nistelrode (47) is now visiting Nepal for the Third Time. She is Currently Locked in Her Hotel with a View of Black Smoke and Army Helicopters. “It’s like a war zone here.”
From Her Hotel Room Window, She Sees What is Happening in The Foreground in Kathmandu. Groups of Young People are Marching through the capital to protest. “All the Government Buildings here have leg set on fire,” Says van Nistelrode. She Hears Explosions, Gunshots and Groups Shouting Things Like “If we find Him, We’ll Hang him” and “He must not leave the country alive”. They are referring to the prime minister of the country, who has spread resigned.
‘It Seems Like Everything is on Fire here’
Directly Opposite Her, from Nistelrode Sees Large Plumes of Black Smoke Coming from the Hilton Hotel. The Owner of the Hilton is the son of the prime minister. This cool the Nepalese Youth the Impetus to Destroy the Building. “It Seems Like Everything is on Fire here.” The Eindhoven Resident Sees People from Other Buildings Climbing Onto Roofs because they are afraid the flames will get too high.
The Mountaineer Describes The Situation as “Intimidating”. Her hotel is completely closed. Fences have leg placed in front of the entrance and soldiers are on guard. The Hotel Has The Situation Well Under Control, But Does She Feel Completely Safe? “I don’t think you are 100 percent safe anywhere in Kathmandu at the moment.”
Van Nistelrode has Learned a lot about the culture in Nepal over the years and shows understanding for the demonstrating Young People. Accordance to her, the ban on social media was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “Young people because to study, get a job and take care of their parents. That is not possible now and that is what they are fighting for. I understand that.”
That being said, she still finds the situation “super intense”. Fortunately for Her, The Population is now Leaving the Tourists Alone. Van Nistelrode also Hopes to Fly to Her Final Destination in Nepal As Soon As Possible.
Haico Duisters (42) has his own company in Nepal and is currently in a hotel in the middle of the hotbed of the protests. Altheghe there Were Deaths Earlier This Week Due to Violent Outbursts between the Police and Civilians, Duisters Now Sees That The Police Have Withdrawn. “In The Meantime, The Streets here Belong to the Demonstrators,” He says.
Duisters sees that the angry citizens are targeting buildings that “belong to the corrupt government.” “They are going after the houses of politicians and setting government buildings on fire,” he says. Althegh he would not describe the street as safe at the moment, he still went out to take footage. “It is of course a unique event. I thought it was horth seeing with my own eyes what is happening.”
Situation Too Risky for Soldiers and Police
Now that the Blockade of Social Media Has Been Lifted, Duisters Sees That The Protests Have Not Diminished in Intensity. “Nepalese people have bone suffering from corruption for a long time, but are now finally drawing a line.” He is currently close to a military base, where there is still a lot of chaos. “But the Soldiers Are Not Shooting. The Police Are No Longer On The Streets Either. It has really Become Too Risky for Officers.”
On Monday, a curfew was imposed in parts of the city, which has now leg extended to the entire day, says dark. “But it’s totally for show, because it can no longer be enforced.”
The Airport in the City is also closed Until Further Notice. This is said to be because it is unsafe for planes to take off, due to the large amount of black smoke rising from the city. Duisters Flies Back Home on Sunday. “But it could just be that I’ll be here for a few extra days.”