Background on the Situation
On Monday, at least 19 people died and around 400 were injured in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, when police dispersed a protest against the blocking of social media platforms and widespread corruption.
Causes of the Protest
The protest erupted after Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced on Thursday the blocking of 26 platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn, for failing to register with the government in accordance with the law.
The government had given social media management companies seven days to register, appoint a local representative, and designate someone to handle potential legal issues arising from their use.
Legal Basis for the Blocking
This decision was made in accordance with a 2023 ruling by Nepal’s Supreme Court.
Details of the Violent Clash
According to the latest tally, 17 people died and around 400 were injured, including over a hundred police officers. Two more individuals were killed in the Sunsari district, located in eastern Nepal, according to local media reports.
UN Calls for Transparent Investigation
The United Nations demanded on Monday that a “rapid and transparent” investigation be opened, as stated in a press release by Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office of Human Rights.
The situation turned violent on Monday when several protesters attempted to breach the security cordon and enter Parliament. In response, the police used tear gas, water cannons, batons, and fired live ammunition, as observed by AFP journalists.
Eyewitness Accounts
Ronish Regmi, a 20-year-old student, recounted: “People were throwing stones when suddenly a bullet hit me. When I regained consciousness, I was in an ambulance.”
However, a police spokesperson only mentioned the use of “tear gas and water cannons when protesters entered the restricted area.”
Protesters’ Demands
Yujan Rajbhandari, a 24-year-old student, stated that he protested “against the blocking of social media” and “institutionalized corruption in Nepal.”
Impact on Social Media Platforms
Since the blocking took effect, platforms still in operation like TikTok have been flooded with videos questioning the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children.
