KATHMANDU, Nepal (FDM) — Kathmandu's streets were filled with anger on Monday as protesters reacted against a government ban on major social media platforms, resulting in police opening fire and tragically leading to the deaths of at least 17 individuals. Reports indicate around 145 people have been injured, including 28 police officers, amidst ongoing smaller protests.
Demonstrations focused around the Parliament, with tens of thousands demanding the lifting of the ban that affects platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, which were blocked by the government last week.
Officials claim that the social media companies have failed to register in accordance with local laws, igniting calls for accountability amidst claims that the ban is a censorship tactic. Protesters breached police barriers, necessitating riot control measures that included gunfire.
The violence prompted the government to impose a curfew around key government sites, intensifying the already tense atmosphere as families gathered anxiously at hospitals for news of their loved ones.
“Many of them are in serious condition and appear to have been shot in the head and chest,” reported Dr. Badri Risal from the National Trauma Center, the main hospital receiving the injured.
Chants from the crowd included “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption, not social media,” reflecting the sentiment of a younger generation, often referred to as Gen Z, demanding action and accountability from their government.
Last year, a ban was imposed on TikTok under similar pretenses but was lifted only after assurances were made for compliance with local laws, raising further concerns about the government's intentions with the current restrictions.
As the bill for more stringent controls on social platforms awaits parliamentary debate, critics argue it threatens freedom of expression and aims to suppress dissent within society.
