Govt to Provide Rs 1.5 Million to Families of Gen Z Protest Martyrs

Declaring protesters who lost their lives during the Gen-Z-led demonstrations on September 8 and 9 as martyrs, Nepal’s interim government on Monday, September 15, announced that their families will receive Rs 1.5 million each in financial assistance.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said the Cabinet meeting also decided to declare Wednesday, September 17, a public holiday to observe a national day of mourning. 

“It was decided to provide Rs 1 million as compensation and an additional Rs 500,000 to each family,” Aryal added.

Youths in major cities across the country took to the streets last Monday, September 8, protesting against corruption and the social media ban imposed by the KP Sharma Oli government on more than two dozen platforms.

Tensions escalated after protesters broke barricades and clashed with security personnel. In the Kathmandu Valley, police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters at New Baneshwar as they marched towards the Federal Parliament. But a violent crackdown followed, with police firing live ammunition. By the end of the day, 19 protesters had been reported dead.

Although then Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned that evening and the government lifted the social media ban, enraged demonstrators defied a curfew the following day. As the country descended into chaos, mobs—reportedly infiltrated by various groups—vandalised and torched public and private properties, including residences of politicians, government buildings, courts, police stations, media houses, Bhatbhateni supermarket stores, hotels, and vehicle showrooms.

According to government records, the death toll has reached 72—including 59 protesters, 10 prisoners, and three security personnel. Many are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals. 

Those found dead in burned buildings are listed as protesters, pending verification by respective authorities.

Meanwhile, Nepal Police announced it will provide Rs 1 million to the families of personnel killed during the protests, with the amount funded through contributions deducted from the salaries of personnel across all ranks.

Monday’s Cabinet meeting also decided to fly the national flag at half-mast and conduct the final rites of the martyrs with state honours. The government will transport the bodies to their homes free of cost—using helicopters for victims from remote areas—and assist their families in conducting funeral rituals. Free treatment will also be provided to the injured.

To investigate the violence that led to the loss of lives and property, the government will form a high-level inquiry commission under the coordination of a former justice. In addition, Aryal announced that a ‘Gen-Z Memorial Park’ will be built in memory of those who died.

The Cabinet also decided to return all proposals from the previous administration’s last meeting—on which no decision had been taken—to the concerned ministries for further review.