Deadly Protests Rock Nepal: 19 Killed as Social Media Ban and Corruption Fuel Unrest

At least 19 people have been killed and dozens injured in violent anti-government protests sweeping across Nepal, fueled by a controversial social media ban and deep-seated allegations of corruption. Authorities and local media report that police fired live rounds, tear gas, and rubber bullets at young demonstrators, including students.

On Monday, protesters breached barricades to force their way into the Parliament complex in the capital, Kathmandu. Medical officials at the National Trauma Centre confirmed seven fatalities, with many victims in serious condition from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. More than 100 people, including 28 police personnel, are receiving medical treatment. Violence also escalated in the eastern city of Itahari, leading to two additional deaths.

The United Nations has swiftly called for accountability, with a spokesperson for the UN rights office urging a prompt and transparent investigation into the killings and injuries. The bloodshed follows the government’s decision last week to block access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, citing non-registration and misuse.

While the social media ban was the immediate trigger, analysts suggest the protests reflect deeper frustrations among Nepal’s youth. Experts point to a decade of unfulfilled promises for an inclusive Nepal, compounded by unstable governments, rampant corruption, and limited livelihood prospects that force thousands to seek opportunities abroad. Young people, some in school uniforms, have marched through Kathmandu with signs reading “Shut down corruption and not social media” and “Youths against corruption,” demanding systemic change.

In response to the escalating crisis, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli convened an emergency cabinet meeting. A curfew has been extended across parts of Kathmandu, including the critical Singha Durbar area which houses government buildings, and the army has been deployed. The government had previously affirmed its commitment to freedom of thought and expression, a stance now under intense scrutiny following the harsh police response to the demonstrations.

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