KATHMANDU: Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Gen Z activist Majid Ansari, labeling his ongoing detention by Nepali authorities as arbitrary and a severe threat to civic space.

Ansari was arrested on Saturday in Kirtipur along with two other activists, Sarishma Thapa and Nelson Ghatani, while visiting a flooded government holding center to support victims of forced evictions.

Social media footage reportedly shows police using verbal abuse and physical force during the arrest, leaving Ansari with visible bruises and blood marks. While Thapa and Ghatani were released that evening, Ansari remains in custody.

The rights organization expressed deep concern over the crackdown, pointing out the irony that the current government came to power just four months ago following youth-led protests in September 2025.

“It’s deplorable that within four months of taking office, the government is now forgetting its commitment and is using the same repressive tactics as its predecessor government,” said Nirajan Thapaliya, Director of Amnesty International Nepal.

The flooding at the Radha Soami Satsang Centre holding facility has also raised urgent questions regarding the safety of displaced families.

Despite assurances from Prime Minister Balen Shah in April that riverside evictions were being conducted to keep residents safe, the weekend’s heavy rains exposed highly unsafe conditions at the relocation site.

Amnesty International has urged the government to stop weaponizing law enforcement against peaceful dissent and demanded that authorities ensure Ansari’s safety and immediate access to medical care.