KATHMANDU, Nepal — Violent protests erupted in Kathmandu on Monday against the Nepalese government's ban on several major social media platforms, leading to tragic consequences as police opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and injuring 145 others, according to police official Shekhar Khanal.
The protests centered around the Parliament building, where tens of thousands of people expressed their outrage against the government's decision to block platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube due to their failure to register and comply with local regulations.
As tensions escalated, protesters clashed with riot police, compelling them to retreat. In response, authorities declared a curfew around Parliament amid ongoing unrest.
The injured included both protesters and police, with many suffering serious gunshot wounds. Dr. Badri Risal, from the National Trauma Center, stated that several victims appeared to have been shot in the head and chest. Families crowded outside hospitals, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones while others queued to donate blood.
Protesters chanted slogans like Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption—not social media, reflecting the sentiment that they viewed the ban as a tool to censor dissent rather than a legitimate effort to manage online platforms.
The bill proposing the ban has faced extensive criticism for infringing upon fundamental rights and curbing free speech. Human rights groups claim that this action represents a broader attempt by the Nepalese government to suppress dissent and punish those who challenge its authority.
This incident follows a previous ban on TikTok in 2023, which was lifted after the platform pledged to adhere to local laws regarding content moderation. The current situation has reignited concerns over government overreach and the implications for civil liberties in Nepal.
