Fresh unrest has resurfaced in Nepal, barely weeks after the country witnessed a dramatic change of government driven by Gen-Z-led demonstrations. Authorities in Bara district reintroduced a daytime curfew on Thursday as tensions flared once more between young protesters and supporters of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), the party formerly headed by KP Sharma Oli.

Airport Tensions Trigger New Wave of Clashes

The latest confrontation began when word spread that CPN-UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and the party’s youth leader Mahesh Basnet were scheduled to fly to Simara for a political programme. Their Buddha Air flight from Kathmandu drew crowds of protesters as well as UML supporters, leading to heated confrontations. Police later fired teargas to calm the situation, temporarily halting airport operations.

Assistant chief district officer Chhabiraman Subedi confirmed the renewed restrictions, stating, “Curfew has been reimposed following the clash with the police to bring the situation under control.”

Simara Becomes Centre of Youth-Led Mobilisation

Simara town continued to see young demonstrators gathering from early Thursday morning, following a day of street clashes with UML cadres. Six protesters were injured on Wednesday. Although several UML supporters were reportedly part of the confrontations, only two arrests were made, sparking renewed anger among Gen-Z activists who accuse authorities of selective action.

Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said, “The situation is normal… No one was severely injured,” even as tensions remained high.

Restrictions Imposed From Early Afternoon

The District Administration Office ordered the curfew from 1 pm to 8 pm local time, citing public safety concerns. Government officials said the measure was intended to stabilise the area as political groups continue to mobilise ahead of the elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.

Bara District Magistrate Dharmendra Kumar Mishra noted that the move was a precaution to stop further escalation.

Prime Minister Karki Calls for Restraint

Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who assumed office shortly after September’s deadly unrest over a temporary social media ban, urged competing groups to avoid provocation. Her public message read:
“I have directed the Home Administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order.”
She also emphasised the need to “ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties and create a fair and fear-free environment for the elections”.

At a meeting involving more than 110 political groups, she remarked, “We want this country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision.”

Background: September’s Gen-Z Uprising Still Haunts Nepal

The renewed agitation comes after Nepal’s massive September protests, led by young demonstrators operating under the loose Gen-Z banner. Although the immediate spark was a short-lived social media ban, the unrest was fuelled by years of discontent over inequality, economic stagnation, and corruption.

At least 76 people died during the September 8–9 clashes, and more than 1,300 were injured. Public institutions, including parliament and government offices, were set ablaze. The turmoil forced then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step down, ending his UML government.

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was then appointed as the interim prime minister, becoming the first woman to hold the position. After taking office, she declared those who died in the September movement as “martyrs” and ordered a judicial investigation into the murders, arson, looting and coordinated attacks that shook Kathmandu and other regions. She said the violent incidents on September 9 were part of a broader plot carried out under the cover of protests.

A Political Landscape Reshaped by Youth Anger

The latest disturbances in Bara highlight a generation unwilling to return quietly to old political patterns. As Nepal prepares for the 2026 elections, Gen-Z activists who were once seen as fringe voices have emerged as a key force shaping the country’s political direction.