Kathmandu – The familiar boards reading “Police My Friend” are no longer visible at Nepal’s police offices. In their place stand ashes, twisted metal, and charred remains of vehicles after widespread arson during the Gen Z protests.
Protesters, enraged after police gunfire killed demonstrators, attacked police offices across the country. Chanting, “Don’t you have children of your own? Why did you shoot to kill?” they torched stations and clashed directly with officers.
Almost all police offices in the Kathmandu Valley—except for a few like the District Police Complex and the National Police Training Academy—were vandalized or set on fire, according to police spokesperson DIG Binod Ghimire. Similar destruction was reported in Lumbini, Bagmati, and other provinces. Small police beats staffed by sergeants and a handful of officers were also burned. In some districts, motorbikes were stolen, and uniforms and equipment were destroyed.
“The police have suffered the greatest loss among government agencies. We have no stations, no uniforms, and no vehicles,” DIG Ghimire said. “But we cannot back down. Complaints are being registered, and investigations continue.”
The damages are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of rupees. A special desk led by DIG Deepak Regmi has been set up at Police Headquarters to collect and verify details before submitting the final report to the government.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who took office on Sunday, condemned the destruction and labeled those responsible as criminals. She pledged to rebuild police offices and replace destroyed vehicles, which police officials said has lifted morale.
Provincial police offices have also mobilized teams to assess damages, with reports of severe losses in Banke, Dang, Rupandehi, and other districts.
Despite the devastation, police officials insist they remain committed to their duties. “The aim was to strip the police bare, but we are still standing,” a senior officer said.
Former IGP Dhiraj Pratap Singh suggested the violence may not have been solely carried out by Gen Z protesters. “There was surely infiltration,” he said, urging police to stay composed and continue their work.
Photo Source: Republica
