During the Gen-Z protests held on September 8 and 9, 2025 against issues related to national interest, corruption, misgovernance, and the shutdown of social media platforms, police arrested 15 individuals in Ilam on allegations of arson and vandalism targeting government offices and other physical structures.
According to police reports, arson and vandalism were carried out at several locations in Ilam Municipality–7, including the District Administration Office; the temporary municipal police post; the Biblyate Temporary Police Post; the Nepal Army Guest House; two offices of the CPN-UML party; the office of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; Radio Nepalwani; Munal Manpower; Suryaratna Savings and Credit Cooperative; and the Ilam Municipality Office in Ward 2. Three motorcycles were also damaged. Likewise, vandalism and arson were reported at the Nepali Congress Party Office in Ilam Municipality–2; the District Election Office in Ilam Municipality–6; two four-wheeler vehicles and one motorcycle belonging to the municipality; the Sub-Division Forest Office; and the mayor’s vehicle parked inside Mai Municipality–2. Further arson and vandalism occurred at all Ward Offices of Mai Municipality from Ward 1 to Ward 10. The Sukhanis Study Center and the Maoist Party Office in Mai Municipality–4 were also set on fire and vandalized.
Police arrested the following individuals on December 5, 2025 on charges of involvement in arson and vandalism: Sagar Sangraula, 30, of Ilam Municipality–1; Kamal Kumar Sah Haluwai, 52, of Ilam Municipality–7; Bishal Naubhang, 29, of Ilam Municipality–6; Pavitter Mallik, 40, of Ilam Municipality–7; Yadav Tiwari, 36, of Ilam Municipality–4; Arjun Trikhtri, 30, of Ilam Municipality–6; Tej Kumar Bik, 32, of Miklakhola Rural Municipality–2, Taplejung; Mohan Kumar Limbu (Man), 23, of Ilam Municipality–5; Suraj Gurung (Suraj), 43, originally from Jhapa and residing in Ilam Municipality–5; Tikaram Chauhan, 46, of Ilam Municipality–9; and Sabin Rai, 36, of Ilam Municipality–9.
On December 6, 2025, police arrested Home Bahadur Khawas, 39, of Ilam Municipality–9; Ardash Rai, 23, of Fakfokthum Rural Municipality–3; Anju Rai, 25, of Sandakpur Rural Municipality–2; and Anish Rai, 28, of Ilam Municipality–12. The police filed a case of criminal vandalism against all accused at the Ilam District Court through the District Government Attorney’s Office on December 8, 2025, and legal proceedings have been initiated.