Darjeeling, West Bengal: Security has been tightened along the India–Nepal border at Panitanki after days of violent protests in Nepal forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday. The unrest, triggered by corruption allegations and the government’s controversial social media ban, has spiraled into a nationwide crisis with widespread arson, ministerial resignations, and VIP evacuations.
#WATCH | Darjeeling, West Bengal | India-Nepal border at Panitanki on high alert amid protests in Nepal triggered by social media ban and alleged corruption charges against the Nepal government. The ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites in Nepal was… pic.twitter.com/CdJDfuihAd
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2025
Border on alert
Superintendent of Police Praveen Parkash confirmed that additional forces have been deployed at the Panitanki post.
“A police post has been set up here with deployment of force. We are on alert mode and monitoring the situation,” he said.
The move comes amid fears of spillover violence as Nepal grapples with its worst political crisis in years.
Social media ban lifted, protests intensify
Nepal’s ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and other platforms was lifted late Monday night. But the step failed to calm the situation, with protesters demanding Oli’s resignation, formation of a national government, and strict action against corrupt leaders.
The protests, largely led by Gen Z demonstrators, have already claimed at least 19 lives after police opened fire during a march to Parliament.
Oli resigns, may flee abroad
Earlier today, KP Sharma Oli formally resigned, bowing to mounting pressure after demonstrators torched his residence in Bhaktapur and vandalized homes of several ministers. Sources claimed a private jet was placed on standby for Oli’s possible departure to Dubai, while he temporarily assigned duties to his deputy.
VIP evacuations spark fury
Around a dozen helicopters have airlifted officials from Bhaisepati ministerial quarters to Tribhuvan International Airport. Protesters, however, have been mobilizing via social media to disrupt flights, urging people to launch fireworks, fly drones, and use laser lights to interfere with aircraft.
Flights have already been hit — an Airbus A319 of Himalaya Airlines reportedly struggled to land, while Indigo and Air India flights from Delhi were delayed. Only two flights managed to depart: a Thai Airways service to Bangkok and a Chinese carrier to Guangzhou.
Escalating chaos
Demonstrations have spread across Kathmandu and Lalitpur, where government and party buildings, hotels, and residences of top leaders including ex-PMs Prachanda and Sher Bahadur Deuba were attacked. With VIPs now being moved under army guard to the Maharajganj Barracks, protesters continue to vow that “corrupt leaders will not escape.”
