At least 10 people were killed and nearly 90 injured in Kathmandu on Monday after police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannon to disperse demonstrators protesting against Nepal’s social media ban and government corruption.
According to AFP, the unrest began after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms on Friday, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, sparking widespread anger.
“Until now, 10 protesters have died and 87 are injured,” Kathmandu Valley police spokesman Shekhar Khanal told AFP, adding that crowds remained in the streets.
Civil Hospital in Kathmandu reported dozens of injured being treated. “I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital,” said information officer Ranjana Nepal, noting that tear gas had entered the facility and hampered medical staff.
Protesters, many of them students, marched with national flags and chanted against corruption before breaching restricted zones near parliament. Police baton-charged demonstrators after some forced their way past barbed wire and climbed into parliament grounds. Authorities have since imposed a curfew around key government sites, including the president’s residence and the prime minister’s office.
“This is not just about social media,” said student protester Yujan Rajbhandari, 24. “We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.” Another demonstrator, 20-year-old Ikshama Tumrok, condemned the government’s “authoritarian attitude,” saying her generation wanted change.
The ban has disrupted millions who rely on platforms such as Instagram for news, entertainment, and business. Meanwhile, videos on TikTok — still accessible — highlighting the gap between struggling citizens and politicians’ privileged children have fueled public anger.
The government said companies were given seven days to register locally and appoint compliance officers, following a Supreme Court order last year. In a statement Sunday, it maintained that it respected free expression and was committed to ensuring its protection.
Nepal has previously restricted digital platforms, including a nine-month ban on TikTok lifted in August 2024 after regulatory compliance.
