Nepal’s former First Lady has reportedly died after protesters set fire to her home – this is a breaking news story, please refresh for updates
Nepal’s former First Lady has died after protesters set fire to her home as she was trapped inside.
Angry demonstrations erupted in Nepal after the government last week moved to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube.
Former first lady Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, has reportedly died after being set on fire inside her home.
According to her family, Mrs Chitrakar was quickly taken to Kirtipur Burn Hospital for medical attention, but died from her injuries.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, according to local news sources.
At least 19 people have been killed and dozens injured amid clashes between protesters and security forces, in the last few days.
Government forces are using using water cannons and batons as well as firing rubber bullets to quell protests.
The current protests have taken aim at the social media ban, which has since been repealed by the government, but are now about much wider, deeper dissatisfaction with the country’s authorities, according to the BBC.
It is believed that the current Prime Minister, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence has also been hit by arsonists.