Nepal, Sept. 10 -- The two-day Gen Z protests that shook Nepal have ushered the country into a new era. What began as a youth-led revolt against a tired political order ended with the collapse of that order-but also with scars that will take time to heal. The scale of outrage, the young lives lost, and the determination shown on the streets have already written a new history for the country. The aftermath, however, serves as a grim reminder that swift change often comes with costs that cannot be overlooked.

Once the dust settled, the Nepal Army took to the streets-a necessary move to safeguard citizens and prevent chaos from spiraling out of control. Fires were still raging, public and private properties were being destroyed, and several...