Tension escalated in Simara on Thursday as youths identifying themselves as Gen Zers returned to the streets a day after clashing with CPN-UML cadres.

Protesters gathered at Simara Chowk from 11am. Police used force to disperse them, and authorities later imposed a curfew to contain the unrest.

Assistant Chief District Officer Chhabiraman Subedi said the curfew has been enforced from 12.45pm to 8pm.

Gen Z protesters accused police of failing to arrest individuals named in their complaint over Wednesday’s clash. Police have since detained two.

Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra said Ward Chair Dhan Bahadur Shrestha of ward 2 of Jeetpursimara Sub-metropolitan City and Ward Chair Kaimudin Ansari of ward 6 were arrested.

Six Gen Z supporters were injured on Wednesday. The group lodged a complaint against six UML cadres over the confrontation at Simara Chowk. Gen Z district coordinator Samrat Upadhyaya said they resumed protests because some of the accused had not been detained.

The clash between Gen Z youth and UML supporters had left the area tense throughout Wednesday.

Police fired teargas canisters after the confrontation escalated near Simara Airport, forcing the airport to halt operations.

The UML had been preparing for days to hold its ‘Youth Awakening Campaign’ in Parwanipur on Wednesday. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and politburo member Mahesh Basnet were scheduled to fly from Kathmandu and land at Simara around 10:30am before addressing the function.

On Tuesday evening, Upadhyaya posted on Facebook, urging young people to demonstrate in Simara against what he called the ‘outgoing murderous government’. His post, widely shared in the district, sparked concern among security agencies.

By around 10 am Wednesday, 100-150 youths gathered at Simara Chowk, many of them reportedly planning to protest the arrival of Basnet, who in the past has faced strong criticism over his aggressive political style.