Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has resigned amid Nepal's worst unrest in decades, as public anger mounts over the deaths of 19 anti-corruption protesters in clashes with police on Monday.
On Tuesday, crowds set fire to parliament in the capital Kathmandu, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Government buildings and the houses of political leaders were attacked around the country.
Three more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Amid the chaos, jail officials said 900 inmates managed to escape from two prisons in Nepal's western districts.
The demonstrations were triggered by a ban on social media platforms. It was lifted on Monday - but by then protests had swelled into a mass movement.
Nepal's army chief issued a statement late on Tuesday accusing demonstrators of taking advantage of the current crisis by damaging, looting, and setting fire to public and private property.
It said if unrest continued, all security institutions, including the Nepal Army, are committed to taking control of the situation, effective from 22:00 local time (16:15 GMT; 17:15 BST), without detailing what this might entail.
While the prime minister has stepped down, it's not clear who will replace him or what happens next, with seemingly no one in charge. Some leaders, including ministers, have reportedly taken refuge with the security forces.
So far, the protesters have not spelt out their demands apart from rallying under the broader anti-corruption call. The protests appear spontaneous, with no organized leadership.
Inside parliament, there were jubilant scenes as hundreds of protesters danced and chanted slogans around a fire at the entrance to the building, many holding Nepal's flag.
Corruption has been a long-term issue, and one protester stated, It has happened now and we are more than happy to witness this and fight for this. I hope this change will bring something that is positive to us.
In the days leading up to the unrest, the government ordered authorities to block 26 social media platforms for not complying with a deadline to register. Young people criticized the move as an attack on free speech.
The government justified its ban as a means to tackle fake news, hate speech, and online fraud; however, it backfired and sparked widespread protests.
Notably, the demonstrations continued to escalate, with crowds targeting the headquarters of the Nepali Congress Party and the residences of political leaders. The flames of discontent show no signs of extinguishing as the nation grapples with its uncertain political future.
