Photos | At least 19 people died, over 340 injured in violent protests in Nepal against social media ban, corruption
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has refused to lift the social media ban, insisting in a Cabinet meeting that the decision stands and must be publicly supported by all ministers, reported India Today. The move triggered tensions as Nepali Congress ministers in the ruling coalition demanded the ban be revoked and walked out in protest after Oli dismissed critics as “Gen Z troublemakers,” prompting him to call an emergency meeting of the ruling coalition.
Violent protests by youths triggered by a government ban on social media sites and rampant corruption rocked Nepal on Monday, with police's use of force leaving at least 19 people dead and over 340 others injured, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigning over the situation, citing moral responsibility even as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli refused to lift the ban in a cabinet meeting late evening. (Image: X/@AFP)
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The Nepali Army was deployed in the capital after the situation deteriorated. The army personnel have taken control of the roads surrounding the parliament complex in New Baneshwor. Earlier, thousands of youths, including school students, under the banner of Gen Z, staged a massive protest in front of the Parliament in the heart of Kathmandu and shouted anti-government slogans demanding immediate revocation of the ban. The demonstration turned violent when some protesters entered the Parliament complex, prompting police to use water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds to disperse crowds, eyewitnesses said. (Image: X/@AFP)
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Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who represented the Nepali Congress party in the coalition government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, resigned on moral grounds following the deadly clashes. He submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Oli at a cabinet meeting held at the PM's residence, Baluwatar, in the evening. (Image: X/@AFP)
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The Himalayan Times reported that the death toll from the protests has climbed to 19, while more than 345 people have been injured across Nepal. According to hospital officials, it was reported, at least 17 died in different hospitals in Kathmandu alone–8 people died at the National Trauma Centre, 3 at Everest Hospital, 3 at Civil Hospital, 2 at Kathmandu Medical College, and 1 at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital. In Sunsari, 2 protesters shot during demonstrations in Itahari also succumbed to injuries, taking the nationwide toll to 19. Hospitals across the country are treating at least 347 injured protesters. Those injured include Gen Z protesters, security personnel, and journalists, the report said. (Image: X/@AFP)
The National Human Rights Commission in Nepal condemned the deaths of protesters and injuries to several others due to excessive use of force by security forces during youth-led protests against social media bans and political corruption. It urged the authorities to immediately stop the excessive use of force and to address the concerns raised by the younger generation. (Image: Videograb | X/@ANI)
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The Kathmandu District Administration Office extended the curfew, initially imposed in parts of Baneshwar, to cover a wider zone. It includes the President’s residence, Shital Niwas area, Maharajgunj, the vice-president’s residence in Lainchaur, all sides of Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and surrounding areas, reported The Kathmandu Post. (Image: Videograb | X/@ANI)
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Another group of youngsters, who launched a campaign called “Nepo Kid” on various social media platforms, also joined the protests. “Nepo Kid”, a social media trend, has become viral in recent days, with youngsters accusing the children of politicians and influential people of “enjoying privileges with money earned from corruption”. (Image: AFP)
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The government on Thursday banned 26 social media sites, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram and YouTube, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology within the given deadline. Although the government has clarified its stance that the social media sites were banned to bring them under regulation. But the general perception among the masses is that this will lead to an attack on free speech, and it may lead to censorship. (Image: AFP)
Prime Minister Oli on Sunday said that his government would “always oppose anomalies and arrogance, and would never accept any act that undermines the nation”. The prime minister said the party is not against social media, “but what cannot be accepted is those doing business in Nepal, making money, and yet not complying with the law.” Referring to the criticism over the move, he called protesters and agitating voices “puppets who only oppose for the sake of opposing”. (Image: AFP)
