CaliToday (10/9/2025): In a shocking and violent escalation of Nepal's ongoing political uprising, the main office of the country's largest media organization was set on fire late Tuesday night in a targeted arson attack. The brazen assault, which took place in the capital city of Kathmandu, marks a dangerous new phase in the turmoil that recently led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, shifting from widespread street protests to a direct attack on a fundamental democratic institution.
The incident occurred under the cover of darkness as assailants, widely believed to be a radical faction connected to the ongoing anti-government movement, stormed the premises of the media conglomerate. Eyewitnesses reported seeing masked individuals break into the building, followed shortly by the eruption of flames that quickly engulfed a significant portion of the structure.
Emergency services, including fire brigades and police, rushed to the scene but were reportedly hampered by barricades and unrest in the surrounding areas. The fire raged for several hours, gutting newsrooms and broadcast facilities. While immediate reports on casualties are still unconfirmed, the material damage is believed to be extensive, potentially crippling the network's operational capacity.
This attack is being interpreted as a direct assault on press freedom and a manifestation of the deep-seated anger protestors have toward what they perceive as pro-establishment institutions. The youth-led uprising was fueled by grievances not only against government corruption but also against alleged media censorship and biased reporting.
Analysts suggest the targeted media house was likely viewed by some protestors as a mouthpiece for the Oli government, failing to provide adequate or fair coverage of their movement. By setting it ablaze, the perpetrators have sent a chilling and unambiguous message to the entire journalistic community in Nepal.
The act was immediately condemned by a spectrum of voices. A spokesperson for the caretaker government labeled it an "act of terrorism" and vowed to bring the culprits to justice. Meanwhile, journalist unions and international press freedom organizations have expressed horror and outrage.
"An attack on a news organization is an attack on the public's right to information and a direct threat to democracy itself," read a statement from the Federation of Nepali Journalists. "This climate of fear cannot be allowed to silence the press. We call for immediate protection for all journalists and media workers."
The incident places the broader protest movement in a difficult position. While mainstream protest leaders had focused on peaceful demonstrations, this act of extreme violence threatens to delegitimize their cause and could trigger a more severe crackdown from state security forces.
As smoke continues to rise from the heart of Kathmandu's media landscape, the nation stands at a precarious crossroads. The resignation of the Prime Minister, once seen as a potential circuit-breaker, has instead been followed by an even more volatile and unpredictable chapter in Nepal's struggle for its political future. The attack serves as a grim indicator that the deep divisions within the country are far from healed, with freedom of the press now a frontline casualty.
