Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as violent protests over the government’s social media ban intensified, his aide Prakash Silwal confirmed. In his resignation letter, Oli said he was stepping down “to facilitate a solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically.”

Protests in Nepal continued for the second straight day even after the government announced that it had lifted the ban on social media platforms. Demonstrators demanded Oli’s ouster and the government’s dismissal after 20 people were killed on Monday and more than 250 were injured.

Just hours before his resignation, Oli had appealed to protesters to maintain peace and show restraint, urging that solutions should come through talks. He also announced an all-party meeting at 6 pm to address the crisis. “Any form of violence is not in the national interest. We must adopt peaceful dialogue and discussion,” Oli said in his statement.

According to army sources, Oli had earlier spoken to Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, seeking military assistance to control the worsening situation and to ensure his safe exit from the Prime Minister’s residence. The Army Chief reportedly advised him to step down, saying the military could only stabilise the situation if he relinquished power. Sources had earlier said that KP Sharma Oli was planning to flee to Dubai.

Meanwhile, security operations intensified across Kathmandu. Around a dozen helicopters took off from the Bhaisepati ministerial quarters to evacuate government officials to Tribhuvan International Airport.

At least five army helicopters were used to transport key ministers. Tribhuvan International Airport was later closed and all flights cancelled as unrest escalated, with protesters calling on social media to disrupt operations by flying drones, launching fireworks and using laser lights to interfere with aircraft.

Protesters also continued to target the homes and offices of senior political leaders. On Tuesday, they set fire to Nepal’s Parliament and vandalised the private residences of both the Prime Minister and the President. The demonstrators also attacked Singha Durbar, the complex that houses ministers and Parliament, with several videos of the violence surfacing online.

Visuals from Nepal’s Parliament showed thick smoke rising as protesters set the building ablaze.