Kathmandu neighbourhoods raised nearly 10 million Nepali rupees (~$69,000) to buy a replacement Toyota HiAce for Janasewa police station after September 2025 unrest destroyed vehicles and damaged dozens of stations. The youth-led protests, sparked by a brief social media ban and deeper grievances, left more than 50 dead and damaged over 2,500 structures nationwide. Community donations and volunteer repairs have helped restore basic policing and morale as Nepal prepares for general elections on 5 March.
Kathmandu Neighbourhoods Crowdfund Police Recovery After Deadly September 2025 Unrest
This vehicle has become a symbol of how local residents stepped in to help Nepal's police rebuild after the September unrest (Prakash MATHEMA)(Prakash MATHEMA/AFP/AFP)
In central Kathmandu the scorched shell of a police station attacked during September 2025 unrest now stands beside a newly purchased, fully equipped police van — a visible sign of how local communities stepped in to help rebuild after one of Nepal’s most violent recent crises.
Community Steps In
Residents raised the funds for a replacement Toyota HiAce response vehicle through local crowdfunding after flames destroyed vehicles and equipment at Janasewa police station. The van, bought for nearly 10 million Nepali rupees (about $69,000), has become a symbol of neighbourhood support for officers who felt vulnerable during the riots.
"Whenever anything happens, we call the police for rescue,"
said Ganapati Lal Shrestha, who organised the fundraising. "But where do we go when the police themselves are at risk?"
Scale And Human Cost Of The Unrest
Youth-led demonstrations began on 8 September 2025 after a brief social media ban, but the protests were driven by deeper grievances: economic hardship and allegations of corruption. When security forces moved to suppress the demonstrations, at least 20 young protesters were killed, most in Kathmandu. The violence escalated the following day into widespread riots.
More than 50 people were killed nationwide and over 2,500 structures were torched, looted or damaged, including parliament, courts and other government buildings. Police were a primary focus of the anger: crowds attacked at least 465 police buildings, destroyed more than a hundred, and seized weapons and uniforms from some stations. In the chaos, more than 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails.
"Police became a target, because we represent the state on the ground,"
said Gopal Chandra Bhattarai, a police spokesman. "Whatever happens, it is the police who respond."
Rebuilding, Morale And Preparedness
At Janasewa and several other damaged stations, neighbours arrived with cleaning supplies, paint, furniture and building materials. "Immediately after the protests, people came forward to rebuild burned or damaged units with whatever they had," said Kathmandu district police chief Ramesh Thapa. "The common people have supported us with an open heart."
Station chief Krishna Kumar Chand said the support helped officers recover from the trauma and reinforced their commitment to basic policing: "We cannot step away from our responsibilities just because our resources are damaged."
With an interim government led by former chief justice Sushila Karki and general elections scheduled for 5 March, the police say all units are operational despite receiving no dedicated reconstruction budget. The force has also recruited thousands of temporary officers for the election period to bolster security and mobility.
What This Means Locally
Community-funded repairs and equipment purchases restored essential services at multiple stations and helped rebuild trust between residents and the police. While material losses were heavy, local solidarity provided both practical support and a morale boost for officers preparing to keep order through the election period.
Reporting by local police spokespeople and community organisers. pm/abh/pjm/ane
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