Ex-Nepal PM Jhalanath Khanal’s Wife Killed in Protest Violence in Kathmandu

Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died on Tuesday after sustaining severe burn injuries when protesters set her house ablaze in Kathmandu’s Dallu locality.

According to local media Khabarhub, demonstrators trapped Chitrakar inside her residence before setting it on fire. She was rushed in critical condition to Kirtipur Burn Hospital with major injuries, including to her lungs, but succumbed during treatment.

Nepal has been gripped by violent protests since Monday, led largely by Gen Z demonstrators angered by corruption, unemployment, and a government ban on social media platforms such as Facebook and X. The unrest forced Prime Minister KP Oli to resign on Tuesday.

Amid escalating violence, protesters also torched the Parliament building and allegedly attacked Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel, though the authenticity of circulating videos remains unverified. President Ram Chandra Poudel has appealed for dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.

The protests continued even after the social media ban was lifted, with rioters setting fire to buildings and disrupting operations at Kathmandu airport.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Nepal to remain indoors, avoid public gatherings, and follow safety updates from local authorities and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.