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The Generation Z movement that began on September 8 and ended with an agreement on September 13 came at a heavy cost. Seventy-four youths were killed, thousands injured, and both public and private property suffered immense damage. The Nepal Police and Armed Police Force responded with excessive and lethal force, firing directly at the head and chest of demonstrators with the clear intent to kill rather than disperse. This brutality, carried out under Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, amounted to a crime against humanity.

Security forces not only failed to counter protests but also failed to control the destruction of property as anger spread following the deaths of the demonstrators. The situation spiraled into chaos and total anarchy, exposing a total collapse of law and order. Ultimately, it was the Nepal Army that restored stability by deploying troops to the streets. Without its intervention, the nation could have faced far worse destruction, proving once again the Army’s indispensable role. Calls for its dismantling have been discredited; instead, Nepal must further strengthen and modernize the Army.

The Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, however, require serious reform. Their numbers should increase to deal with riots, but professionalism must be restored. At present, they are seen as politicized institutions, serving leaders rather than the people. This undermines investor confidence, as no foreigner will risk investment in a country where security is unreliable. The Gen Z protests even forced leaders, including Oli and President Ramchandra Paudel, to seek protection from the Army—clear evidence of institutional collapse.

This crisis stems from decades of political interference. Transfers and promotions in security, bureaucracy, judiciary, diplomacy, and education have been driven by money and party loyalty rather than merit. Such policy corruption has destroyed professionalism and weakened all state organs.

Nepal’s leaders must change course. Politics must be treated not as a profession for enrichment but as a social service. Restoring meritocracy and institutional autonomy is the only way to curb corruption and ensure good governance. Otherwise, the country will continue to face fresh uprisings every decade.