KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Police in Kathmandu opened fire Monday on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, killing at least 17 people and wounding 145, officials said.
The death toll was announced by police official Shekhar Khanal, one of many wounded being treated at National Trauma Center. Among the injured were 28 police officers, highlighting the severity of the clashes.
Rallies swept the streets of Kathmandu surrounding the Parliament building as tens of thousands expressed their anger over the government decision to block social media platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube. The authorities claimed these companies had not registered or submitted to government oversight.
Protesters pushed through barriers and advanced towards the Parliament complex, leading police to open fire. Witnesses reported many of the seriously injured seemed to have been shot in critical areas such as the head and chest.
As the situation intensified, the government imposed a curfew in crucial areas around the Parliament and government secretariat, attempting to contain the spread of protests and violence.
Families anxiously waited for information on injured loved ones outside hospitals, with many people voluntarily lining up to donate blood for the victims.
The protests, referred to as the 'Gen Z protest', marked a significant public outcry against perceived government censorship and corruption, echoing calls for action to stop both social media bans and corruption not reports on social platforms.
This unrest follows a backdrop of previous restrictions, as the government had banned platforms like TikTok in 2023 for disrupting social harmony, lifting the ban only after compliance assurances were made by company officials.
The recent events emphasize ongoing tensions between government authority and public demands for freedom of expression and legitimate use of social media.
