Communities aid police after Nepal’s deadly uprising
In the heart of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, the charred remains of a police station attacked during September’s unrest stand in stark contrast to a brand-new, fully equipped police van parked outside.Purchased through community crowdfunding, the vehicle has become a symbol of how local residents stepped in to help Nepal’s police rebuild after one of the most violent episodes of unrest in recent years. “Whenever anything happens, we call the police for rescue,” said Ganapati Lal Shrestha, who led the fundraising effort.”But where do we go when the police themselves are at risk?”Youth-led demonstrations erupted on September 8, 2025, triggered by anger at a brief ban on social media, but fuelled by deeper frustration at economic hardship and corruption.When security forces tried to crush the protests, at least 20 young demonstrators were killed, mainly in Kathmandu.Anger intensified the following day. Riots spread nationwide, with more than 50 people killed and over 2,500 structures torched, looted, or damaged, including parliament, courts and government buildings.The police were a key focus of the anger. “Police became a target, because we represent the state on the ground,” said Gopal Chandra Bhattarai, a police spokesman. “Whatever happens, it is the police who respond.”Three policemen were killed by mobs, while others ran for their lives as crowds hurled stones.At least 465 police buildings were attacked — and more than a hundred destroyed — with gangs looting weapons and uniforms.In the chaos, more than 13,500 prisoners escaped jail. The force suffered “a major loss”, Bhattarai said.- ‘Open heart’ -Kathmandu’s Janasewa police station was among those attacked. As flames ripped through its two buildings, its six vehicles, as well as several motorcycles, were pushed into the street, then set on fire. Station chief Krishna Kumar Chand said terrified officers were unable to intervene.”If we used any force, there might have been casualties,” he said, saying they bore the “physical loss instead.”Calm returned a day later, after 73-year-old KP Sharma Oli stepped down as prime minister. And the community came out to help.At several damaged stations, nearby residents brought with them cleaning supplies, paint, furniture and construction materials.”Immediately after the protests, people came forward to rebuild burned or damaged units with whatever they had,” said Kathmandu district police chief Ramesh Thapa.”The common people have supported us with an open heart,” he added.At Janasewa, residents assessed the loss — including the destruction of a van used as a quick-response vehicle for disaster response.”We felt we had to help rehabilitate the police,” said Shrestha, the fundraising organiser. “Unless the community helps rebuild their motivation, our society will not be secure.”Local residents called for contributions, and money slowly started trickling in.Eventually, they raised nearly 10 million Nepali rupees ($69,000) to purchase and equip a new Toyota HiAce van.- ‘Peace and security’ -It is not the only case. At Kathmandu’s Maharajgunj Police Station, where two officers were killed, repairs were made with the “full support from the community”, spokesman Niranjan Thapa said.Nepal, now led by an interim government headed by former chief justice Sushila Karki, is gearing up for general elections on March 5.The police say that all their units are operational, despite receiving no reconstruction budget from the government.The police force has also been recruiting thousands for temporary police jobs over the election period. “Despite some resource and mobility limitation, our operations have returned to normal,” said Bhattarai. “We are prepared for maintaining peace and security for the elections.” For officers like Chand, the community support has helped heal the trauma of the unrest and reinforced their sense of duty. “We cannot step away from our responsibilities just because our resources are damaged,” Chand said.”We have to perform basic policing. That is why we are in this society.”
