At least 13 people have been killed and dozens are injured in Nepal after demonstrations against a government social media ban led to clashes between protesters and security forces.
Thousands heeded a call by demonstrators describing themselves as Generation Z to gather near the parliament building in Kathmandu over the decision to ban platforms including Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Nepal's Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba told the BBC police had had to use force - which included water cannons, batons, and firing rubber bullets.
The government has stated that social media platforms need regulation to tackle fake news, hate speech, and online fraud. However, popular platforms like Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for business, news, and entertainment.
Protesters carried placards with slogans including enough is enough and end to corruption while expressing outrage over what they perceive as the government’s authoritarian attitude. As the rally escalated, some protesters attempted to breach restricted areas close to parliament.
A spokesperson for the police reported that tear gas and water cannons were deployed when this boundary was crossed.
A curfew has been imposed around the parliament area following the escalating tensions. Authorities recently blocked 26 social media platforms for failing to comply with regulations set by the ministry of communication and information technology.
While efforts are being made to navigate the ban using VPNs, the government defends its position by asserting that it is not banning social media outright but attempting to align it with local laws.
