TEN KILLED IN NEPAL AS POLICE CLASH WITH PROTESTERS OVER SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
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By: Sefiu Ajape
No fewer than 10 protesters were killed on Monday when Nepalese police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its ban on social media and address corruption.
Several platforms — including Facebook, YouTube, and X — have been inaccessible since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered sites, leaving citizens frustrated.
“Until now, 10 protesters have died and 87 are injured,” Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for the Kathmandu Valley police, told AFP. “The crowds are still in the streets.”
Many of the injured were rushed to Civil Hospital, where conditions worsened due to police action.
“I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital,” said information officer Ranjana Nepal. “Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work.”
The protest began peacefully, with young demonstrators waving national flags and singing the anthem before chanting against corruption and the social media restrictions.
Tensions rose as crowds pushed through barbed wire into restricted zones near parliament. Police responded with batons, while some protesters scaled the parliament’s wall.
Authorities later imposed a curfew across sensitive areas, including the legislature, the president’s residence, and the prime minister’s office at Singha Durbar.
Student voices reflected the growing anger.
“We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said 24-year-old Yujan Rajbhandari.
“We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”
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Another demonstrator, 20-year-old Ikshama Tumrok, denounced the government’s “authoritarian attitude.”
She added: “We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation.”
Videos contrasting the hardships of ordinary citizens with the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children have gone viral on TikTok, which remains accessible.
“There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.
The government has defended its actions, noting the platforms were ordered to register locally and appoint compliance officers following a Supreme Court ruling last year.
In a statement on Sunday, it insisted it respected fundamental freedoms and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use.”
Nepal has previously restricted access to digital platforms. Telegram was banned in July over fraud concerns, while a nine-month ban on TikTok was lifted last year after the company agreed to new regulations.
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