Nepal protest toll rises to 72

The toll from the violent anti-corruption protests in Nepal climbed to 72 on Sunday, as search teams recovered bodies from government offices, houses and other buildings set on fire during the unrest, Reuters quoted the Health Ministry as saying on Sunday.

The country was plunged into a political crisis last week after protests sparked by the Nepali government’s ban on 26 social media platforms. Although the Oli government lifted the social media ban on Monday night, the agitation evolved into a broader protest against alleged corruption and misgovernance.

Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, but protesters torched state buildings, including the Supreme Court, parliament, police posts, politicians’ homes and private businesses.

Health Ministry spokesperson Prakash Budathoki said that many of the dead were found in shopping malls and residential buildings that had been attacked or set on fire, Reuters reported.

The ministry on Sunday said at least 2,113 people have been injured.

On Sunday, Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki announced a compensation of 10 lakh Nepali rupees for the families of those who died, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Karki, a former Chief Justice and the first woman to lead Nepal, was appointed interim prime minister on September 12 after KP Sharma Oli resigned amid mounting protests.

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