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Kathmandu and several other cities in Nepal witnessed widespread unrest on Monday, September 8, as thousands of young protesters, including school students, took to the streets against the government’s decision to ban major social media platforms. At least 19 people were killed and more than 300 others injured after police used force to disperse demonstrators, officials said. The protests, led largely by the Gen Z population, began outside the Parliament building in Kathmandu before spreading to Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari and Damak. (Image: Reuters)
2 / 7According to Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire, 17 people were killed in clashes across different parts of Kathmandu, while two more died in Sunsari district after police opened fire. The situation escalated when some demonstrators stormed the Parliament complex, prompting security forces to deploy water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds. The Nepal Army was called in to secure the capital, with personnel taking control of roads around the parliament complex in New Baneshwor. (Image: Reuters)
3 / 7As reported by PTI, hospitals in Kathmandu were overwhelmed with casualties. The Kathmandu Post cited hospital sources confirming that eight people died at the National Trauma Centre, three each at Everest and Civil hospitals, two at Kathmandu Medical College, and one at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital. The Ministry of Health reported that at least 347 injured protesters are receiving treatment at facilities across the country, with Civil Hospital alone treating 100 people. (Image: AP)
4 / 7With hospitals struggling to cope, The Himalayan Times reported that several facilities began referring patients to other institutions. In response to the unrest, authorities imposed strict curfews in parts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Butwal and Itahari. “No movement of people, demonstration, meeting, gathering or sit-in will be allowed in the restricted zone,” Chief District Officer Chhabi Lal Rijal said in a notice. (Image: AP)
5 / 7The political fallout deepened as Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak of the Nepali Congress party resigned on moral grounds following the violence, party sources confirmed. Meanwhile, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli defended the government’s decision, insisting that companies like Facebook, X and YouTube had ignored the August 28 deadline to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. “The independence of the nation is greater than the loss of jobs of a handful of individuals,” Oli said, accusing critics of “opposing for the sake of opposing.” (Image: AP)
6 / 7The government last week banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X and YouTube, claiming the move was necessary to bring them under regulation. However, many citizens view the action as an attempt to curb free speech and control dissent. Demonstrations by journalists at Maitighar Mandala, as well as a statement from the Computer Association of Nepal, warned that the blanket ban would harm education, business and communication, pushing Nepal “behind the world digitally.” (Image: AP)
7 / 7“This move of the government also poses the risk of Nepal falling behind the world digitally,” CAN president Sunaina Ghimire said, calling for wider consultations with stakeholders before enforcing such restrictions. Separately, youth groups have been mobilising online campaigns against political elites, with a viral trend called “Nepo Kid” accusing children of politicians and influential families of enjoying privileges from corruption. (Image: Reuters)
