Nepal Gen Z Protest : Nepal Army announces nationwide curfew

Protests against corruption spiralled into arson and violence on Tuesday. The prime minister quit as politicians' homes were vandalised, and government buildings and parliament torched. Thirty people died and more than 1,000 were injured over two days of violence.

"Gen Z" groups spearheading the protests distanced themselves from the destruction, saying they had been "hijacked" by "opportunists".

On Wednesday, Kathmandu's airport reopened and the capital was relatively quiet as most residents obeyed a curfew, but smoke still rose from burning buildings.

 military, which is trying to control a spiralling situation, has invited the Gen Z protesters to engage in peace talks. Student leaders are consolidating a fresh list of demands, one of their representatives told the BBC.

Nationwide curfews are in place until Thursday morning and the army has warned violence and vandalism will be punished. Twenty-seven people have been arrested over violence and lootings and 31 firearms found, it added.

Officers are checking vehicle IDs at military checkpoints across the capital and urging people to stay at home. "No unnecessary travel" their voces blare through loudspeakers.

Still, some young people were out, carrying bin liners and wearing masks, cleaning up the damage caused by the protests.

"This corruption thing has been in Nepal since a very, very long time, and I think it is high time that the nation needs to change," said Ksang Lama, 14, who did not attend the protests. "I really hope that it can bring something positive to our country."

Parash Pratap Hamal, 24, did take part in the protests. He believes Nepal "needs independent political figures" and cites Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah as someone who would make a good leader.