KATHMANDU, Nepal (RTWNews) — Protests erupted in Kathmandu on Monday against the government's ban on several social media platforms, leading to a violent confrontation with police. Authorities reported at least 17 casualties and over 145 injuries, including 28 police officers.
Police opened fire on demonstrators who flooded the streets surrounding the Parliament building, reacting to the government’s decision to block access to popular platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. The government claims these platforms have failed to register and submit to local oversight.
As tensions escalated, protesters breached police barriers and forced law enforcement back within the Parliament complex. In response, police utilized live ammunition with many protesters reportedly shot in critical areas, raising severe concerns about human rights violations.
An emergency curfew was declared in parts of the city, particularly around Parliament and important governmental buildings. Eyewitness accounts reported that families congregated at the National Trauma Center, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones amid a surge of injured individuals arriving at the hospital.
Dr. Badri Risal, a physician at the National Trauma Center, emphasized the severity of many injuries, stating, “Many of them are in serious condition and appear to have been shot in the head and chest.”
The protests, dubbed the “Gen Z protests,” indicated widespread discontent among young citizens, who are demanding freedom of expression and an end to corrupt practices, chanting, “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption, not social media.”
Activists have condemned the government's actions as an attempt to stifle dissent and curb free speech rights. In 2023, TikTok was banned in Nepal over similar allegations affecting public morals but was restored soon after executives committed to following local laws.
The proposed legislation aimed at regulating social media in the country has been met with skepticism, viewed largely as a tool to suppress critical voices and dissenting political opinions.
