Nepal Protests Turn Violent As 19 Killed, 300 Injured Over Social Media Ban And Corruption

At least 19 people, including a 12-year-old child, were killed and more than 300 injured in violent Nepal protests in Kathmandu on Monday.

Generation Z demonstrators took to the streets against corruption and the government’s ban on several social media apps.

The army was deployed in the Nepali capital after protesters broke curfew restrictions and entered restricted zones near Parliament. Sources said the government may lift the ban on these apps soon.

Police used water cannons, teargas, and rubber bullets as protesters hurled tree branches and bottles while shouting anti-government slogans.

Some demonstrators breached the Parliament compound, worsening the situation, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Curfew Extended in Kathmandu

The Kathmandu District Administration Office extended the curfew initially imposed in Baneshwar to high-security zones. These included the President’s residence (Shital Niwas), Vice-President’s residence in Lainchaur, Maharajgunj, all sides of Singha Durbar, and the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar.

Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal said the curfew would remain in force from 12:30 PM to 10:00 PM local time. Movement, gatherings, protests, or encirclement in these areas were strictly banned.

Two people were injured after police fired rubber bullets. Kantipur Television journalist Shyam Shrestha was hit while covering the protests and is receiving treatment at Civil Hospital.

Another person was injured in Damak, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s hometown.

Protests spread to Pokhara, where curfew was imposed after demonstrators damaged the Chief Minister’s office. Oli has called an emergency cabinet meeting.

Why are People Protesting?

Nepal blocked 26 unregistered platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X, leaving users angry. The government asked these platforms to register locally and appoint compliance officers following a Supreme Court order.

Young people accused the government of curbing free expression while ignoring corruption.

“We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24, to AFP.

Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, condemned the ‘authoritarian attitude’ of the government.

Videos on TikTok, still operating, highlighted the struggles of ordinary citizens against the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children.

Protester Bhumika Bharati said leaders feared a wider anti-corruption movement like those abroad.

Nepal has restricted apps before. Telegram was banned last year over fraud concerns, while a nine-month ban on TikTok ended in August after the platform complied with regulations.

According to NDTV, the government insists it respects freedom of thought and expression and remains committed to creating an environment for their protection.

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