Kathmandu
Former Nepal Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli has denied claims that police used automatic weapons during the first day of Gen-Z protests on September 8, which left 19 people dead. Oli, who resigned a day later amid nationwide unrest, said his government had not ordered direct firing on demonstrators. He insisted that police did not possess automatic firearms and called for an investigation.
In a statement, Oli alleged that the deaths were caused by conspirators who infiltrated peaceful protests. “Never in past movements were so many lives lost in a single day,” he said. According to police figures, 72 people have died in protest-related events so far, including those trapped inside Bhatbhateni Supermarket when it was set on fire.
Oli also pointed to a conspiracy behind arson attacks on key institutions such as Singh Durbar, the parliamentary building, the judiciary, political party offices, and business enterprises. His own residence in Bhaktapur was damaged, along with homes of former leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ and Jhalanath Khanal.
Following the attacks, Oli was placed under Nepal Army protection but later moved to rented accommodation in Bhaktapur. He has been accused by critics of mismanaging the nation, projecting false prosperity while corruption scandals grew during his tenure.
