At least 19 people have died in Nepal during protests against a prohibition of the government of dozen online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and X.
The authorities introduced the ban last week, blocking access to 26 broadly used social media platforms and messaging applications after they were not registered in new regulations. The measure has faced strong criticism at home and abroad.
On Monday, anger for restrictions spilled in the streets of Katmandú and other cities.
Tens of thousands of young people marched by challenging the ban and what they described as a growing corruption and authoritarian behavior by the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
In Katmandú, protesters collided with the police after breaking the barricades, trying to enter the land of Parliament and setting fire to the doors.
Police fired live rounds, tear gas and gum bullets to crowds. They also used canes and water cannons.
The authorities confirmed that at least 19 people died of their wounds, including gunshot wounds in the head and chest. While most deaths occurred in the capital, two people died in the eastern city of Itahari. More than 100 others were injured and taken to the hospital to receive treatment.
The protests have been described locally as the “Gen-Z protest” due to the large number of young people involved. Many protesters said their actions were more than just access to social networks. They carried posters that read “young people against corruption” and accused the political class of ignoring ordinary Nepalese while living in privileges.
The government imposed a curfew in several areas until 10 pm on Monday in an attempt to calm the disturbances.
The almost total prohibition, which entered into force at midnight on Thursday, has interrupted daily life in Nepal. Companies and the tourism industry have been affected, while many citizens have struggled to keep in contact with family members abroad.
Platforms such as Reddit, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Signal were also blocked. Tiktok was one of the few to remain online after complying with the new registration rules, and since then it has become a concentration tool for protesters. The videos that contrast the struggles of everyday Nepalese with the rich lifestyles of politicians have quickly spread in the application, deepening frustration with the government.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said the platforms had received seven days to register in line with a court order.
Only five complied, which led officials to order the closure of others. The government defended the measure, saying that the regulations were destined to address “hate speech, false news and online crimes.”
(The Guardian)
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