Protests in Nepal over social media ban turn violent; 19 killed, over 300 injured

Curfew imposed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Sunsari district, Pokhara, and Butwal

- MPOST BUREAU

Nepal witnessed one of its most violent days of unrest in recent years on Monday as demonstrations against a government ban on social media platforms escalated into deadly clashes, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 300 others injured.

The mounting crisis forced Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to step down, citing moral responsibility for the loss of lives.

Thousands of young demonstrators, many of them students, converged outside the Parliament building in New Baneshwor under the banner of "Gen Z" to demand an immediate withdrawal of the government's decision to block 26 social media sites, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Protesters chanted anti-government slogans and accused leaders of curbing free expression.

What began as a peaceful march soon spiralled into violence after a group of demonstrators entered the Parliament complex.

Security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, and, eventually, live ammunition to disperse the crowd, eyewitnesses said.

Nepal Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire confirmed that 17 people died in various parts of Kathmandu, while two others were killed in Sunsari district of eastern Nepal.

Clashes also spread beyond the capital, with incidents reported in Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak.

Medical facilities across Kathmandu struggled to handle the influx of casualties.

According to