19 killed in Nepal as police open fire on 'Gen Z' protest against social media ban, corruption
A demonstration, termed 'Gen Z' protest, over social media ban in Nepal's Kathmandu turned violent on Monday, necessitating the Nepalese army to step in to control the situation and authorities to clamp curfew
Highlights:
- Curfew imposed, army deployed
- Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli chairs emergency security meet
- Demonstrators denounce social media crackdown, corruption
- Nepal blocked Facebook and other platforms over misuse concerns
At least 19 people were killed across Nepal on Monday as police opened fire on Gen Z-led protests against a social media shutdown and alleged government corruption.
In the capital's New Baneshwar, police opened fire, used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse young crowds who tried to break into parliament, reports The Kathmandu Post.
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As the demonstration, termed 'Gen Z' protest, turned violent, the Nepalese army stepped in to control the situation after authorities imposed curfew.
Citing hospital officials, Kathmandu Post reported that at least 17 died in different hospitals in Kathmandu alone.
In Sunsari, two protesters shot during demonstrations in Itahari also succumbed to injuries.
Doctors at multiple hospitals confirmed that dozens remain in critical condition.
Hospitals across the country are treating over 400 injured protesters, according to Kathmandu Post.
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting of Nepal's National Security Council took place at the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar in Kathmandu, chaired by Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Nepal blocked access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, last week after they failed to register with authorities in a crackdown on misuse, reports Reuters.
The government said social media users with fake IDs have been spreading hate speech and fake news, and committing fraud and other crimes via some platforms.
Authorities imposed a curfew around the parliament building after thousands of the protesters tried to enter the legislature by breaking a police barricade.
There was no official confirmation of the deaths and injuries and Reuters could not independently verify the figures.
Several protesters were injured and taken to a nearby hospital, a Reuters witness said. A group of protesters stopped a security vehicle heading towards parliament and an ambulance was set on fire, they added.
Ekram Giri, a spokesperson for Nepal's parliament, said some protesters entered the parliament premises but did not reach its main building. They had been driven out by police and have assembled on the road outside, he said.
"We have imposed a curfew which will remain in force until 10pm local time (1615 GMT) to bring the situation under control after protesters began to turn violent," Muktiram Rijal, a spokesperson for the Kathmandu district office, told Reuters.
Police had orders to use water cannons, batons and rubber bullets to control the crowd, Rijal said.
The curfew had been extended to Kathmandu's Singha Durbar area, which includes the prime minister's office as well as other ministries, the residence of the prime minister and the president's house, Rijal said.
PROTESTS IN OTHER CITIES
Police said similar protests were also organised in Biratnagar and Bharatpur in the southern plains and in Pokhara, gateway to the world's 10th highest mountain, Mount Annapurna, in western Nepal.
Earlier on Monday, thousands of youths, including students, many in their school or college uniforms, were stopped by police from marching towards the parliament building, where demonstrations are not allowed.
Protesters carried the national flag and placards with slogans such as "Shut down corruption and not social media", "Unban social media", and "Youths against corruption", as they marched through Kathmandu.
Television visuals showed some protesters throwing projectiles at police personnel who were dressed in riot gear and huddled in one place as smoke from tear gas shells filled the street. Protesters also pushed against police barricades and brought them down.
Many people in the Himalayan nation think corruption is rampant, and the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been criticised by opponents for failing to deliver on its promises.
Nepal's social media shutdown comes as governments worldwide, including the US, EU, Brazil, India, China and Australia, take steps to tighten oversight of social media and Big Tech due to growing concern about issues such as misinformation, data privacy, online harm and national security.
Critics say many of these measures risk stifling free expression, but regulators say stricter controls are needed to protect users and preserve social order.
About 90% of Nepal's 30 million people use the internet.
Gen Z protest: What are the key points?
The protesters, part of what reports described as a 'Gen Z protest', took to the streets of Kathmandu on Monday to raise voice against the government order of banning 26 social media apps and sites, including X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Protesters dodged barbed wires and forced riot police to retreat as they surrounded the Parliament building in New Baneshwor, resulting in authorities clamping a curfew.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon but were outnumbered and sought safety inside the Parliament complex.
The Kathmandu District Administration Office imposed a curfew in several parts of the capital, according to reports. The areas under curfew included Parliament, the government secretariat, the presidential palace, and other high-security zones.
Apart from the fatalities, dozens of others were injured as police shot at protesters trying to storm the parliament building. The injured were across several hospitals in Kathmandu.
'Hami Nepal' organised the rally after seeking prior approval, reports said, citing the Kathmandu district administration office. Organisers were reportedly using social media to share information on protest routes and safety tips.
