Gen Z youths protest in Dhangadhi ahead of Mahesh Basnet’s visit
Protesters rally near Gen Z Road as security tightened.
Post Photo
Kailali
Gen Z youths gathered near Gen Z Road in Dhangadhi for about two hours on Wednesday, staging a protest ahead of UML leader Mahesh Basnet’s arrival in the city.
Basnet was travelling to Dhangadhi to attend a National Youth Association Nepal event.
Police beefed up security after the protesters chanted slogans and continued their demonstration. Security personnel have kept the group under close watch.
The deployment was further tightened after UML cadres close to the Youth Association also began assembling near the protest site.
Earlier on Sunday, Basnet was on his way to Itahari to attend a youth mobilisation campaign of his party after arriving at Biratnagar Airport when Sanjog Gautam and Arpit Kunwar threw the ink at the car he was travelling in at Airport Road.
The incident came days after a clash in Simara left six Gen Z youths injured.
The confrontation started when activists protested at Simara Chowk to prevent UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Basnet from travelling to Parwanipur via Simara airport for a youth mobilisation event on Wednesday.
Tensions escalated into stone-pelting near the airport, including flight suspension, a highway blockade, and dismantling of a UML welcome gate and party flags. Flights at Simara airport were halted for several hours following vandalism at the airport gate.
Latest clash: AN I (Indian wire) — eyewitness and police account
Gen‑Z youths and cadres of the CPN‑UML led by KP Sharma Oli clashed in Dhangadhi city on Wednesday, marking the second such incident within a week. The confrontation left one Gen‑Z protester with minor injuries, police said. Gen‑Z youths had gathered near Gen Z Road in Dhangadhi for nearly two hours, staging a protest ahead of UML leader Mahesh Basnet’s arrival in the city.
The clash erupted after UML cadres riding motorbikes charged at the protesters who were holding a peaceful roadside demonstration. Basnet was travelling to Dhangadhi to attend an event of the National Youth Association Nepal.
Taking into account the recent tensions, including last week’s flare‑up in the Bara district, police had strengthened security as protesters continued chanting slogans. Authorities kept the group under close watch, and security was further tightened after UML cadres affiliated with the Youth Association also began assembling near the protest site, according to the Kailali District Police Office.
Earlier on Sunday, Basnet had been en route to Itahari to attend a youth mobilisation programme after landing at Biratnagar Airport when Sanjog Gautam and Arpit Kunwar threw ink at his vehicle on Airport Road. The incident came just days after a clash in Simara left six Gen‑Z youths injured.
The confrontation in Simara began when activists protested at Simara Chowk to stop UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and Basnet from travelling to Parwanipur via Simara Airport for a youth mobilisation event. Tensions escalated into stone‑pelting near the airport, leading to a temporary suspension of flights, a highway blockade, and the dismantling of a UML welcome gate and party flags. Flights at Simara Airport were halted for several hours following vandalism at the airport gate. (ANI)
Voter registration push and Gen‑Z mobilisation (regional coverage)
Kathmandu/Janakpur: Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has called on new and eligible voters to register ahead of the upcoming general elections, as the country enters the final week for updating poll rolls. Issuing a video statement, Karki emphasised that the foundation of a democratic society lies in citizens’ awareness and responsible use of voting rights and urged the younger generation, especially Gen‑Z voters, to play a decisive role in shaping Nepal’s future.
“Let us exercise our voting rights wisely. Either choose the right representative – or become one yourself,” Karki said, urging all eligible citizens to visit their nearest election office and create their voter identity cards without delay. The Election Commission ramped up registration campaigns nationwide and reported serpentine lines at district election offices as citizens queued to register. The surge in registrations has been attributed in part to awareness campaigns organised by the EC and civic groups, including Gen‑Z‑led groups pressing for voter enrolment ahead of the March 2026 polls. (ANI)
Related reporting and context (local / regional framing)
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Local reporting emphasises street‑level confrontation and security measures taken in Dhangadhi and Simara, highlighting the immediate sequence of protests, counter‑mobilisations by UML youth cadres, and related travel disruptions at regional airports. The Kathmandu Post and ANI provide on‑the‑ground detail from Kailali and Simara.
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Regional wire services and Indian outlets have echoed the clashes and underlined the continuing role of Gen‑Z activism in driving voter registration and political mobilisation ahead of elections scheduled for March 2026. (ANI)
Share Your Thoughts
- How do you think the Gen‑Z movement’s voter‑registration push will affect March 2026 elections?
- What measures should local authorities take to reduce clashes during political mobilisation?
- Can youth activism translate into sustained policy change in Nepal’s current political environment?
- How should political parties engage with Gen‑Z demands while ensuring public safety?
- What lessons from recent clashes should election planners consider ahead of polling?