Anti-corruption protest: Nepal prime minister resigns as death toll rises to 21

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KP Sharma Oli, prime minister of Nepal, has resigned following days of violent anti-government protests that have left at least 21 people dead.

Oli, 73, announced his resignation in a letter to the president on Tuesday, saying the decision was necessary to “take further steps towards a political solution and resolution of the problems”.

The Himalayan nation has been rocked by unrest since Monday after the government attempted to impose a ban on social media platforms.Although the restriction was later reversed, anger over alleged corruption, political nepotism, and economic stagnation has continued to fuel nationwide protests.

Demonstrations turned violent as protesters attacked and vandalised the homes of several political leaders, including Oli’s residence in Balakot, Bhaktapur, and that of Sher Bahadur Deuba, a former prime minister and president of the Nepali Congress.

Videos circulating online show parts of Oli’s home engulfed in flames, while petrol bombs were reportedly thrown at the residence of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, chairman of the Maoist Centre and another former prime minister. Thecable