19 killed, police open fire in social media protest in Nepal
At least 19 people have been killed as police opened fire on protesters, led by those in Generation Z, who swarmed a capital city.
Chaotic scenes have erupted on the streets of Nepal, where 19 people have been killed after demonstrators violntly clashed with police during protests against alleged government corruption and a ban on social media.
Thousands of protesters, led by those in Generation Z, swarmed the capital city of Kathmandu on Monday, waving flags and unleashing chants against the social media prohibitions and corruption in one of the country’s worst unrests in decades.
The crowd swelled as it crossed into a restricted area close to the parliament, with some climbing over the wall into the premises, prompting police to deploy rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon, and batons.
Amnesty International said live ammunition had also been used against protesters, who took part in rallies in districts across the country.
Police in Kathmandu valley said 17 people died in the clash, while another two were killed in Sunsari district in eastern Nepal, local media reported.
Some 400 people were injured, including over 100 police officers, police said.
The district administration imposed a curfew in several key areas of the city to “bring the situation under control after protesters began to turn violent,” Muktiram Rijal, a spokesperson for the Kathmandu district office, told Reuters.
Shocking photos and video footage of the unrest show police firing tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators, who pelted stones and set a police barricade alight.
The violent clash came after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, making several social media sites, including Facebook, YouTube and X, inaccessible in the country since Friday.
The government said two dozen social network platforms were given notices to officially register in Nepal.
Officials said the blocked platforms had failed to register and submit to government oversight.
Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.
Home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned at a cabinet meeting on Monday evening following the protests, local media reported.
‘Disturbing situation’
Sirens wailed through the city as the injured were taken to hospitals during the protests.
“I had been there for a peaceful protest, but the government used force,” Iman Magar, 20, who was hit in his right arm, told AFP.
“It was not a rubber bullet but a metallic one, and it took away a part of my hand. The doctor says I need to undergo an operation.”
Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, which received many of the wounded, said she had “never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital”.
“Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” she told AFP.
UN calls for probe
The United Nations has demanded a swift and transparent probe of the violence.
“We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.
“We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces.”
‘Want to see change’
Student Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting the “authoritarian attitude” of the government.
“We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation,” she told AFP.
There have been several corruption cases reported in the last few years involving ministers, former ministers and other high-profile officials.
Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating.
“There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.
In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use”.
Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.
The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.
It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.
Violent protests driven by discontent over inequality and lavish perks for lawmakers have rocked Indonesia in recent weeks.
A year ago, a student-led popular uprising over job quotas ousted the longtime leader of Bangladesh.
Originally published as 19 killed, police open fire in social media protest in Nepal
