19 dead in Nepal’s Gen Z protests

New Delhi, Sep 8: At least 19 people were killed and more than 350 were injured in Nepal after protests against corruption and a government ban on social media turned violent on Monday, reports The Himalayan Times newspaper, quoting officials.

Thousands of young demonstrators, calling themselves Generation Z, gathered near the parliament building in Kathmandu to oppose the ban on platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube, as well as to express anger over broader government failures. Security forces clashed with the crowds, leading to heavy casualties.

The government defended its decision, stating that regulation of social media was necessary to curb fake news, hate speech, and online fraud.

Media reports suggest that the Gen Z-led protests are continuing to expand at several places in Nepal. The number of injured remains increasing, with hospitals overwhelmed and several patients being referred to other facilities. Authorities confirmed that the identities of the deceased and many of the injured are yet to be established.

Amid the escalating unrest, the Sunsari District Administration imposed an indefinite curfew in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City from 3:30 p.m. on Monday. The order, signed by the Chief District Officer, prohibits all movement, gatherings, and demonstrations within designated boundaries until further notice. Earlier, curfews were also enforced in Kathmandu’s Baneshwor area and Pokhara’s Shahid Chowk, as well as adjoining localities, after protesters stormed the Federal Parliament and vandalised government offices. Security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and aerial shots to disperse crowds, but demonstrators continued to clash with police. The protests, initially peaceful, have spread across several cities, including Biratnagar, Butwal, Chitwan, Pokhara, and Jhapa. The Nepali Army was deployed in New Baneshwor on Monday as authorities described the situation as “highly tense.” Nepal on Thursday blocked major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, Reddit and LinkedIn, after they failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology by the September 4 deadline. The companies had been given seven days from August 28 to apply, but none submitted their registration forms.