Kathmandu-Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, has died after protesters set fire to their residence in the Dallu area of Kathmandu on Tuesday.
According to eyewitness reports, demonstrators trapped Chitrakar inside the house before igniting the blaze.
She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to severe injuries during treatment.
Her death occurred amid a second day of violent, youth-led protests across Nepal, which erupted despite the government lifting a controversial social media ban earlier this week.
Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of government officials, citing allegations of corruption, political nepotism, and economic stagnation.
At least 22 people have been killed since the unrest began on Monday, with over 300 others injured.
Amnesty International has accused Nepalese police of using live ammunition against protesters.
Videos circulating online show petrol bombs being hurled at the homes of top political figures, including those of Prime Ministers K.P. Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the Maoist Centre.
Major government buildings, including Singha Durbar, the central administrative complex, and Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence, were also targeted.
In response to the escalating violence, 73-year-old Prime Minister Oli submitted his resignation to the president on Tuesday, stating that the move was necessary “to take further steps towards a political solution and resolution of the problems.”
The unrest, largely driven by young Nepalis, has spread beyond Kathmandu to other cities.
Several government ministers, including those overseeing water supply, agriculture, and home affairs, also tendered their resignations in protest over the handling of the crisis.
The situation remains tense as authorities struggle to restore order, and calls for calm and dialogue continue from both domestic and international observers.
The demonstrations have increasingly turned violent in recent days, with protesters targeting government buildings, attacking political figures, and setting fire to public and private property.
Protesters were seen on video physically assaulting Nepali Congress party leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, who currently serves as Nepal’s foreign minister.
Both appeared to have sustained visible injuries, and one video shows Deuba being assisted away from the scene. The Nepali Congress is the country’s largest political party and a key member of the governing coalition.
Smoke could still be seen rising from several key government facilities, including the parliament building, the presidential residence, the central secretariat that houses the offices of the prime minister and key ministries, as well as the prime minister’s official residence.
The headquarters of Kantipur Publications, Nepal’s largest media outlet, was also damaged by fire. Several car showrooms were vandalised, and burned-out vehicles remained scattered across the streets of Kathmandu.
Air travel and public transport were heavily disrupted at the peak of the protests, with several flight cancellations and diversions affecting regional mobility.
In many parts of the country, schools and businesses remain closed. Labour unions and student organisations have called for continued demonstrations until the government presents a clear plan to address corruption and tackle unemployment.
The unrest intensified after the government restricted access to 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, in what was described as a national security measure.
The restriction drew criticism from civil society groups and young people, many of whom rely on these platforms for communication and business.
Although the social media ban was lifted on Tuesday, demonstrations have continued, with many expressing concern over reported casualties and ongoing allegations of corruption.
Frustration among young people has grown, with many pointing to perceived inequalities in opportunities. Critics argue that the children of political elites, often referred to as “nepo kids”, enjoy privileged lifestyles, while the majority of Nepalese youth face limited prospects.
With youth unemployment estimated at around 20% last year, according to the World Bank, the government reports that more than 2,000 young people leave Nepal each day to seek work in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
