The recent Gen Z protests in Nepal, which escalated into widespread violence and arson on September 8-9, have forced top political leaders to abandon their traditional, high-profile residences and seek undisclosed, secure locations. This marks a significant shift, as leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Sharma Oli, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' previously used their homes for major party meetings.
Leaders' residences targeted
For years, senior leaders like Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal relied on their private residences (Budhanilkantha, Balkot, Khumaltar, and Koteshwar, respectively) as key political hubs. Given the constant security threat and the deployment of at least 15 police officials for their protection, they preferred staying within their fortified homes.
However, the peaceful-turned-violent protests led to mobs targeting and burning these residences, leading to the ouster of the NC-UML coalition government and forcing leaders into hiding.
Current status of key leaders
Sher Bahadur Deuba's Budhanilkantha home was burned to ashes. Deuba was severely injured after being beaten by protesters on September 9, requiring 12 stitches on his head, according to Nepali Congress publicity chief. He and his wife, Arzu Rana, are reportedly undergoing treatment at a hospital, but the location remains undisclosed. NC leaders are silent about where Deuba will live after his release from the hospital.
After resigning as Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli's own Balkot residence was burnt down. He went underground, spending a week under army protection, before relocating to a rented house in Gundu, Bhaktapur on September 18. Though he has started holding party meetings and making limited public appearances via social media videos posted by his close aide, the exact house and its rental details are kept secret for security.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda's rented Khumaltar house was destroyed by arson. After spending six days under army security in Singh Durbar, he has become public, actively engaging in party work, including inspecting his burned party office. However, his current residence is not disclosed, with a party secretary only stating he is in a safe location.
Similarly, Madhav Kumar Nepal's own house in Koteshwar is no longer habitable. His current location is also undisclosed.
New security paradigm
Leaders and party cadres across the political spectrum are now concluding that they must not make their residences public anymore. They see the targeted attacks on leaders' homes—including rented ones like Prachanda’s—as a critical threat, with CPN (Unified Socialist) Vice-Chairman Jagannath Khatiwada noting that the development of country's leaders and their residences becoming targets is "worrying."
CPN (Maoist Center) Deputy General Secretary Haribol Gajurel expressed concern that these incidents will make landlords unwilling to rent houses to politicians due to the risk of property destruction. The consensus is that in this "digital world," leaders are increasingly vulnerable to coordinated attacks and must prioritize secure, undisclosed living arrangements as they prepare for the upcoming general elections under the new caretaker government led by Sushila Karki.
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