Deadlock over Nepal’s interim govt continues

The deadlock over the selection of an interim head to run the Nepal government continued on Thursday, even as President Ramchandra Paudel appealed for peace and said he was aiming to find a solution to the political crisis within the constitutional framework.
As political parleys for a transitional government continued, the situation in Kathmandu and other parts of the country remained peaceful, with army troops carrying out patrolling in sensitive areas. The death toll from two days of violent protests that began on Monday has increased to 34, according to officials.
The representatives of youth-led Gen Z, which spearheaded the anti-government protests, held meetings with the top military brass to finalise a transitional government, but the talks hit a roadblock on the issue of who will head it.
Some leaders of the Gen Z group organised a press meet in Kathmandu, where they said that Parliament must be dissolved and the Constitution should be amended to reflect the will of the people. They underlined the need to find a solution through dialogue and cooperation.
Former chief justice Sushila Karki, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, former CEO of Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising and Mayor of Dharan Harka Sampang were among those being considered by the protesting Gen Z group to lead the government, sources said.
Prionsers escape: Since the violence began on Monday, over 15,000 inmates have fled from more than 25 prisons, according to media reports.
Three inmates were killed and 13 others injured on Thursday during clashes with security personnel at the Ramechhap district prison in Madhesh province, officials said.
With the latest deaths, the number of prisoners who died during clashes with security forces has increased to eight since Tuesday. The jailbreaks began when youth protesters stormed multiple prison facilities, setting administrative buildings ablaze and forcing open prison gates. By Wednesday evening, preliminary reports confirmed that over 15,000 inmates had fled from more than 25 prisons, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported, quoting police.
Meanwhile, the army, which has taken control of security, extended prohibitory orders in three districts of Kathmandu Valley while allowing public movement during specific windows, as the Himalayan nation gradually returned to normalcy. The curfew will remain till 6 am Friday, and then restrictive orders will be in place from 11 am to 5 pm. Then curfew will be imposed from 7 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday, according to the army.
An Army spokesperson confirmed that discussions are ongoing with various stakeholders. He, however, did not provide any names. Though sources suggested that Mayor Shah has expressed his support for Karki, the picture is still not clear as to who will head the new cabinet. Some of the activists expressed support for Karki, while others pitched for Ghising.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said that 34 people have died so far during the protests held on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the ministry, 1,338 individuals are receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.