KATHMANDU: Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, has died after suffering fatal burn injuries when protesters allegedly set her residence on fire in Kathmandu’s Dallu area, Indian media reported Tuesday.
Family members said demonstrators forced Chitrakar inside her home before igniting the blaze. She was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to injuries to multiple parts of her body, including her lungs.
The attack came as violent protests swept Nepal for a second consecutive day, fuelled by anger over corruption, unemployment, and a government-imposed social media ban. Although the ban was lifted late Monday, unrest continued, with mobs torching government buildings and homes of top leaders.
Videos circulating online showed fires at the Parliament building and residences of President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and several former premiers. Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel was also reportedly attacked, though the authenticity of some footage could not be independently confirmed.
At least 19 people were killed during rallies a day earlier, in one of the deadliest crackdowns in years. The violence forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday following consultations with the Nepal Army Chief.
President Paudel, whose offices were also targeted, appealed for restraint, urging parties to prevent further destruction. The call was echoed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said the “stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance.”
UN rights chief Volker Turk said he was “appalled” by the escalating violence and urged dialogue. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the burning of the Kantipur Media Group’s headquarters, calling on demonstrators to avoid targeting journalists.
The International Crisis Group described the unrest as a “major inflection point” in Nepal’s fragile democratic journey.
Kathmandu’s international airport remains operational, though some flights were disrupted due to heavy smoke from fires across the capital.
