Army Chief Sigdel to address nation amid escalating Gen-Z protests

Kathmandu: As the Gen-Z protests intensify across the country, Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel is preparing to address the nation.

Earlier, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, Chief of Army Staff Sigdel, Inspector General of Armed Police Force Raju Aryal, Inspector General of Nepal Police Chandrakuber Khapung, and Chief of National Investigation Department Hutraj Thapa issued a joint statement urging protesters to exercise restraint. Following that, the Nepal Army released a separate statement requesting demonstrators not to vandalize public property.

The forthcoming address by the Army Chief is viewed as significant in the wake of these appeals. On Monday, many youths were killed and hundreds injured during the government crackdown, while Tuesday’s demonstrations escalated further, with protesters setting fire to leaders’ residences. Major administrative structures, including Singha Durbar, the Parliament Building, Supreme Court, and the President’s residence, Sheetal Niwas, were also torched. Several commercial establishments suffered damage.

With the situation deteriorating, President Ram Chandra Poudel has initiated talks with Gen-Z leaders, urging restraint. Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, Dhangadhi Mayor Gopal Hamal, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, and Kulman Ghising have also appealed for peaceful demonstrations without damaging public property.

Earlier today, several ministers resigned, followed by the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. In this context of a leadership vacuum and mounting unrest, the Army Chief’s address is seen as decisive.