‘Flames couldn’t silence the signal: Ncell here for Nepal, even in ruins’

KATHMANDU: On the morning after flames engulfed the iconic headquarters of Ncell in Kathmandu, once proudly known as the Ncell Tower, the heart of Nepal’s private telecommunications industry stood in ruins. The blackened walls, the charred beams, and the twisted steel of what was once a hub of innovation told a story not just of destruction, but of betrayal—a betrayal of the promise of youth, of progress, and of the dreams that private enterprise brings to Nepal.

The Gen-Z protest—intended to amplify voices against corruption, injustice, and governance failures—took an unexpected, dangerous turn. Infiltrated by criminal-minded groups, the agitation spiraled beyond peaceful resistance into rampant vandalism, arson, and destruction. In that chaos, the country’s largest private telecom operator, Ncell, became a symbolic target. And its headquarters, the beating heart of administration and innovation, was reduced to ashes.

Flames that Burned More than Walls

For the 400 employees who once walked through the glass doors of the Ncell Tower every morning, that building was more than a workplace. It was a sanctuary of ideas, a space where technology met service, where engineers fine-tuned data networks that connected Nepali families across mountains and borders, and where administrators worked tirelessly to keep one of the nation’s largest taxpaying companies efficient and transparent.

On September 8, 2025, that sanctuary was attacked. The criminal minded mob breathed fire through the office floors, turning equipment worth millions into rubble. Files, memories, and decades of dedication were left smoldering. To many staff, it was not just their office but a second home. Overnight, they were forced into remote work, scattered in their own homes, their routines uprooted, their confidence shaken.

One senior employee, speaking with visible grief, described it as “watching a dream collapse into ashes.”

The Shadow on Foreign Investment

Ncell has long been a standard-bearer of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nepal. Since its entry into the market, the company has contributed not just cutting-edge technology but also a model of corporate responsibility, paying over NPR 360 billion in taxes to the government till date. It has been recognized time and again as one of the highest taxpayers in the country, a reliable partner to the state in financing development.

Yet, despite its loyalty to Nepal, Ncell has been repeatedly made a target—sometimes by underground armed groups, sometimes by extremists, and now by violent mobs hiding under the banner of “youth.”

“People spread rumors that we don’t pay taxes,” said one Ncell insider. “But the truth is, we have fulfilled every obligation—whether it be profit taxes, corporate duties, or regulatory fees. Still, we are vilified and attacked. How can Nepal expect new FDI when existing investors face this level of hostility and criminal violence?”

The sentiment echoes across the private sector. Nepal’s economy—82% of which depends on private enterprises—runs on the backbone of companies like Ncell. With 86% of employment linked to private industries, every attack on business is not just an attack on brick and mortar; it is an attack on jobs, on livelihoods, and on the country’s fragile dream of prosperity.

Ncell’s Service to Nepal

While its headquarters lay in ruins, Ncell’s resilience stood tall. Within hours of the crisis, the company ensured that its network remained uninterrupted. Its data centers across the country remained secure, continuing to power calls, texts, and internet services.

In an extraordinary gesture of solidarity, Ncell offered three days of free voice and data services nationwide. At a time when families were desperate to connect with loved ones—whether in Kathmandu, remote villages, or abroad—Ncell became their lifeline. “We wanted to ensure that in this darkest moment, communication was never a casualty,” the Ncell senior staff said.

The gesture was widely appreciated by ordinary Nepalis, especially those struggling to reach relatives during curfews and violence. Unlike other operators that required manual activation, Ncell automatically enabled the free services for all its users—underscoring its commitment to seamless connectivity.

Criminal Mindset vs Youth Spirit

The tragedy of the Gen Z protests lies in the difference between youthful spirit and criminal mindset. Thousands of young Nepalis took to the streets with a vision: to demand better governance, to call out corruption, and to seek a future free from the failings of old politics. That vision is valid. That passion is real.

But on September 8, criminal groups hijacked the movement. Stones replaced slogans, fire replaced hope, and destruction replaced dialogue. The same hands that should have been building a brighter Nepal were instead setting it ablaze.

For Ncell, it was a bitter irony. A company that has connected millions of youths, empowered businesses, and fueled the digital aspirations of an entire generation became the target of violence in the name of those very youth.

“How can we call them youth when their actions mirror criminal mentality?” one Ncell manager asked. “Youth bring hope, ideas, innovation. Criminals bring fire, fear, and ruin.”

Memories of Violence, Again and Again

For Ncell, violence is not new. From the Maoist insurgency years to underground bombings by Netra Bikram Chand “Biplab”-led groups, the company has seen its towers blown up, its staff threatened, and its reputation dragged into false controversies.

Yet, the scale of this attack was unprecedented. Unlike isolated tower blasts, this was a direct strike on the nerve center of Ncell’s operations—an attempt not just to scare but to paralyze.

Still, the company refuses to bow. “We will rise again,” a Ncell manager vowed. “We will rebuild, and we will continue to say proudly: Ncell, here for Nepal.”

September 17, 2025, was supposed to be a day of celebration. Ncell had planned a grand event to mark its 20th anniversary of service in Nepal. A landmark occasion where the company was preparing to announce a brand-new service—something not even available in many countries.

Instead, the celebrations turned into mourning. The banners were never hung. The stage was never lit. The announcement was buried under ashes. “Despite that, we will fly high”, the staffer committed.

For employees, it was heartbreaking. “We had been working for months on the anniversary,” one staff member shared. “It was supposed to be a moment of pride. Instead, we’re sitting at home, logging in on internet, wondering if we still have jobs.”

Lives Disrupted, Dreams Shaken

Beyond the company’s walls, the human cost is immeasurable. Every Ncell employee has a family—families that depend on their income, families that now live with fear of insecurity. Thousands of indirect jobs linked to vendors, suppliers, and contractors are equally at stake.

Ordinary customers too are shaken. For many, Ncell is not just a telecom company; it is the bridge to their loved ones abroad. The destruction of Ncell Tower is a reminder that instability in Nepal spares no one—not even the companies that serve them daily.

The Road Ahead: Rising From Ashes

The rubble of the Ncell Tower now stands as both a scar and a symbol. A scar of violence inflicted by those blinded by rage and criminal mentality. A symbol of resilience that the company, its employees, and Nepal’s private sector must embody as they rise again.

As assessments continue, the exact cost of the destruction will soon be revealed—likely running into multi million rupees. But some costs cannot be counted: the trauma of employees, the dent in investor confidence, the broken trust in the sanctity of business spaces.

Yet, Ncell has made one thing clear: it will not abandon Nepal. With every tower still transmitting signals, with every call still connecting families, with every free service during crisis, the company’s message remains: We are here, and Ncell, here for Nepal.

‘Ncell here for Nepal’

The company’s slogan, “Ncell Nepal Kai Lagi”—Ncell, here for Nepal—now carries more weight than ever before. It is not just a marketing line; it is a commitment to stand with the people, even when targeted unfairly.

As the ashes settle, the challenge is not just to rebuild a tower, but to rebuild trust: trust in peaceful protest, trust in the sanctity of business, and trust that Nepal is a safe place for investment.

Because without that trust, dreams burn faster than buildings.

And yet, as Ncell prepares to rise from the ashes, it offers a lesson for the nation: destruction may be loud, but resilience speaks louder.

In the end, the Tower may have fallen—but the signal of hope still stands tall.
The Ncell manager again said “We will rebuild, and we will say it again—Ncell, here for Nepal.”