Health of Ex-Nepal PM’s Wife Improving After Protest-Linked Arson Attack

KATHMANDU, Sept 11 (VoM): The health condition of Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, is improving after she sustained severe burn injuries in a protest related fire earlier this week, her family confirmed.

According to Khanal’s personal secretary, Krishna Bhattarai, Chitrakar remains under treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital, where doctors have noted signs of recovery. “Madam’s health has improved,” Bhattarai told Kantipur Daily.

Chitrakar was critically injured when her residence was reportedly set ablaze by demonstrators linked to the ongoing Gen Z-led protests. Family members alleged that protesters forced her inside before igniting the blaze.

The violent uprising, triggered by public anger over the government’s social media ban, entered its second day on Wednesday despite the ban being lifted. Clashes have already claimed 22 lives and left more than 300 injured.

Protesters have torched several political and government landmarks, including Singh Durbar (the central administrative complex) and Sheetal Niwas (the presidential residence). Homes of key political leaders, including President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and former premiers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Sher Bahadur Deuba, were also attacked.

In one assault, Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, were reportedly targeted by mobs. Offices of multiple political parties have likewise been vandalized.

Amid the escalating violence, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned late Tuesday. His aide Prakash Silwal confirmed the move, stating that Oli stepped down “to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically.”

Army sources revealed that Oli had sought military intervention to restore order and ensure his safety. However, Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel reportedly advised him to relinquish power, warning that the army could only act effectively if he resigned.

Earlier reports in Nepali media incorrectly stated that Chitrakar had died from her injuries, which has since been refuted by Khanal’s office.

@ Voice of Malaysia News