Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepalese prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, has died after protesters set fire to the couple’s Kathmandu residence.
The attack occurred Tuesday in the Dallu area of the capital, where demonstrators allegedly trapped her inside before igniting the house. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital but succumbed to severe injuries during treatment.
Her death highlights the spiralling violence gripping Nepal as youth-led protests entered a second day despite the government’s bid to ease tensions. Authorities said at least 22 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since unrest erupted Monday over corruption, political nepotism and economic stagnation.
Amnesty International accused police of using live ammunition on protesters, while videos circulating online showed petrol bombs hurled at the residences of top politicians, including those of former prime ministers K.P. Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, as well as Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Government landmarks such as Singh Durbar, the central administrative complex, and Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence, were also targeted.
Amid mounting pressure, Oli, 73, announced his resignation Tuesday in a letter to the president, saying the move was necessary to “take further steps towards a political solution.” Several ministers, including those in charge of water supply, agriculture, and home affairs, also resigned in protest at the government’s handling of the crisis.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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