In brief
Protests erupted in Kathmandu against a government ban on social media, leading to confrontations with police. Authorities claimed the ban was due to platform non-compliance with registration rules. The situation escalated with police firing on protesters, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The protests have raised serious concerns regarding freedom of expression in Nepal.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Violence erupted in Kathmandu as police fired on protesters demonstrating against the government's ban on social media platforms, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and 145 injuries, according to official reports.
Police spokesperson Shekhar Khanal attributed the fatalities to gunfire and confirmed that over 28 officers were also injured during the clashes that unfolded around the Parliament building.
Protests commenced following government measures to block numerous social media channels—including Facebook, X, and YouTube. Officials justified the ban, citing non-compliance from platforms that had repeatedly failed to register with the government.
As tensions mounted, protesters breached police barricades and forced riot officers back into the Parliament grounds, at which point police resorted to shooting into the crowd.
The Nepalese government subsequently announced a curfew in critical areas across the city, including Parliament and the presidential complex, to regain control amidst the unrest. Reports indicated that many of the injured were in serious condition, particularly with gunshot wounds.
Dr. Badri Risal from the National Trauma Center revealed that the injured included people shot in vital regions such as the head and chest, prompting families to wait anxiously for updates on their loved ones while attending to blood donation drives.
Protesters rallied, chanting slogans against the social media ban, asserting demands for governmental accountability and transparency. The current protests, labeled as the “Gen Z rally,” reflect a younger generation's growing dissatisfaction with governmental policies perceived as repressive.
Amid mounting criticism, the authorities are facing scrutiny over a new bill aiming to regulate social media platforms and compel them to appoint local representatives. Rights advocates denounce the legislation as a measure to stifle dissent and threaten civil liberties.
This isn't the first time social media restrictions have sparked outrage in Nepal. The government had previously imposed a ban on TikTok over concerns about public morality, later allowing the app to operate under new compliance agreements.
