A tense calm prevailed in Nepal on Wednesday, after two days of extensive protests, deadly violence from police, a government that resigned and parliamentary buildings that were set on fire.
The military patrolled the streets in Kathmandu, where a curfew prevailed and where residents were ordered to stay at home.
Interim Government
At the same time, reports emerged that the military leadership had been in contact with leaders of the protest movement, where a large part of the participants were young students. The meeting took place at the military headquarters. One of the issues concerned who would succeed Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who resigned on Tuesday. Nepal's president, Ram Chandra Poudel, asked Oli to hold an interim ministry until new leaders are appointed.
Late on Wednesday, it was uncertain where Oli was.
Nepal's government resigned after about twenty demonstrators were killed in clashes with riot-equipped military during Monday's demonstrations. New riots followed, where, among other things, government buildings were set on fire on Tuesday.
Mass Escape
In connection with the protests, a large number of prisoners are said to have escaped from institutions, according to the spokesperson for Nepal's police, Binod Ghimire:
"Three policemen were killed yesterday and more than 13,500 prisoners have escaped from prisons around Nepal", Ghimire said on Wednesday.
The spark for the protests was ignited in a dissatisfaction with the government's plans to ban social media, but also came to be about a widespread anger against the country's political elite and shaky economy.
