KATHMANDU: Twenty-nine protesters injured during the anti-corruption demonstrations in Kathmandu on September 8 and 9, 2025, have submitted official statements detailing the violence they endured.
According to the statements submitted to the inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, the protesters allege that security forces opened fire without warning. Injuries reported include metal bullets and rubber rounds to the chest, legs, neck, and arms of protesters Krishna Sunar, Aryan Adhikari, and Prakash Bahadur Bohara.
Eighteen-year-old Ekta Shah and journalist Shambhu Dangal sustained serious leg injuries, while Santakumar Mehta was critically wounded in the neck and required ventilator support. Protester Geeta Kumari Shah suffered burns on 40% of her body after being set on fire with petrol by other protesters while attempting to protect the police.
The injured protesters, including Manoj Bahadur Bohara and Sanjit Yadav, claimed that security forces did not issue any prior warnings or attempt negotiation before using force. They allege that officers fired directly at protesters from a short distance of 10 to 15 meters. Ayush BK, another injured protester, reported receiving up to nine rubber bullets in his body.
The statements also claim that external elements infiltrated the September 9 demonstrations, escalating vandalism, arson, and violence. Manoj Bohara emphasized that the Gen-Z movement itself does not engage in attacks on government buildings or the judiciary.
While the government covered immediate medical costs for the injured, protesters raised concerns about inadequate long-term support. Journalist Shambhu Dangal highlighted that expenses for hospital visits and medical supplies were not fully covered, and several injured protesters still have bullets and fragments embedded in their bodies.
The protesters demanded that the government take full responsibility for the events. They called for legal action against the former Prime Minister, Home Minister, Chief District Officer, and police officials who authorized the use of force. They also urged authorities to identify and punish those who infiltrated the demonstrations on September 9 and to provide appropriate compensation, education, and employment support to the victims.
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