KATHMANDU: Authorities have deployed heavy security forces at Bir Hospital following the death of 25-year-old Ganesh Nepali, who succumbed to severe burn injuries on Friday morning after attempting self-immolation in the capital.

The tragedy has triggered widespread outrage, with public anger shifting from local administration directly to the federal government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah.

Nepali, a resident of Soru Rural Municipality-1 in Mugu, set himself on fire on Thursday afternoon in front of the Department of Passports in Tripureshwar.

He was immediately rushed to Bir Hospital in critical condition. Doctors had planned to airlift him to New Delhi, India, for specialized treatment, but his unstable health condition made the transfer impossible.

He passed away during treatment despite medical efforts.

Following the news of his death, an angry crowd of relatives and supporters gathered at Bir Hospital, prompting the security upgrade.

The family is demanding immediate legal action against federal authorities and policies that drove him to the extreme step.

Meanwhile, youth groups staged a massive protest at Maitighar Mandala, directly targeting the Prime Minister’s national policies and his centralized approach to governance.

Demonstrators marched with placards reading, “Prime Minister Balen, your high-handedness drove Ganesh to self-immolation,” “Down with state terror,” and “Is there no room for the poor and youth in your new Nepal, Balen?”

The protesters are demanding immediate accountability from the Prime Minister’s Office and systemic justice for Nepali, marking a major political challenge for PM Balen’s administration.

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