KATHMANDU, Nepal (PulseWire) — Armed soldiers are now patrolling the streets of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, enforcing a curfew to mitigate escalating tensions following violent protests against a government-imposed social media ban.
The unrest began earlier this week, with tens of thousands demonstrating in response to the ban on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, aimed at ensuring government oversight on digital communication. In the wake of demonstrators storming and setting fire to government buildings, the army intervened, asserting their commitment to maintaining law and order.
Reports indicate that 21 suspected looters have been arrested as security measures intensify. Protesters have displayed their discontent not only at the social media blackout but also at broader political corruption, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli amidst rising criticism of Nepal's political elite.
The demonstrations, dubbed the 'Gen Z Protest,' have also highlighted stark disparities between the privileged children of political figures and the struggles faced by ordinary young people, with youth unemployment rates hovering around 20%. Many youths leave the country daily in search of work abroad, driven by the perception that the political establishment is out of touch with the issues affecting common citizens.
On Tuesday, in a bid to quell the unrest, President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed for calm while accepting the resignation of the prime minister and assigning him to lead a caretaker government amid chaos. Video footage has surfaced depicting assaults on political leaders, underscoring the situation's volatility.
As the unrest continues, the government's controversial social media regulation bill, criticized as censorship, remains a primary point of contention. The requirement for social media companies to appoint local representatives has fueled fears of further restrictions on free expression in the country. Amidst growing calls for accountability and reform, the future of governance in Nepal hangs in the balance.
The unrest began earlier this week, with tens of thousands demonstrating in response to the ban on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, aimed at ensuring government oversight on digital communication. In the wake of demonstrators storming and setting fire to government buildings, the army intervened, asserting their commitment to maintaining law and order.
Reports indicate that 21 suspected looters have been arrested as security measures intensify. Protesters have displayed their discontent not only at the social media blackout but also at broader political corruption, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli amidst rising criticism of Nepal's political elite.
The demonstrations, dubbed the 'Gen Z Protest,' have also highlighted stark disparities between the privileged children of political figures and the struggles faced by ordinary young people, with youth unemployment rates hovering around 20%. Many youths leave the country daily in search of work abroad, driven by the perception that the political establishment is out of touch with the issues affecting common citizens.
On Tuesday, in a bid to quell the unrest, President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed for calm while accepting the resignation of the prime minister and assigning him to lead a caretaker government amid chaos. Video footage has surfaced depicting assaults on political leaders, underscoring the situation's volatility.
As the unrest continues, the government's controversial social media regulation bill, criticized as censorship, remains a primary point of contention. The requirement for social media companies to appoint local representatives has fueled fears of further restrictions on free expression in the country. Amidst growing calls for accountability and reform, the future of governance in Nepal hangs in the balance.
