Kathmandu, September 12 (HS): The death toll from the ongoing violent protests amid Nepal’s political crisis has climbed to 51, authorities confirmed on Friday. Among the dead are three police officers, nine escaped prisoners, and an unidentified Indian woman.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the fatalities occurred across the Kathmandu Valley and several other districts. On the first day of protests alone, 21 people, including nine prison escapees, were killed in police firing. The ministry added that at least 1,771 protesters have been injured, with 284 discharged after treatment. Five of the deaths reportedly occurred during clashes at a juvenile correctional facility.

Nepal Police spokesperson Vinod Ghimire said that autopsies are being conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH). The hospital’s forensic department confirmed receipt of 36 bodies so far, including one unidentified body, while postmortems are currently in progress for nine victims. Authorities have mandated that postmortems will only be conducted once the deceased’s relatives present authorization letters from the respective district police offices.

The escalating toll underscores the severity of the unrest, as youth-led demonstrations continue to intensify across the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar