19 killed in Nepal as police open fire on protesters

At least 19 people were killed, and over a 100 injured in Nepal’s capital on Monday after the state police opened fire on thousands of young citizens protesting a government ban on social media.

Officials of the Nepali security agency disclosed the death toll, according to Al Jazeera.

The citizens of the South Asian country took to the streets of Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal to protest against corruption and the ban on social media after the government blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The ban took effect on 4 September, a day after the deadline the Nepali government had given social media companies to register locally with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

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The Nepali government had instructed the platforms to appoint a local contact, a grievance handler, and a person responsible for self-regulation to avoid being shut down in the country.

The policy caused major disruptions for Nepali citizens, as 7.5 per cent of the population lives abroad and many rely on social media to stay in touch with family and friends working overseas as migrant workers.

The protest was also triggered by the growing dissatisfaction among the youth with the country’s corruption.

Citizens complained about the lack of prosecutions or proper resolution of corruption cases involving public officials.

The demonstrators were mostly teenagers and young adults, many of whom embraced the label “Gen Z protest.”

At the country’s capital, the demonstrators surrounded the parliament building.

Al Jazeera reported that as the protest progressed, protesters pushed through the barricade into the building, forcing the state police to retreat at first.

However, the situation grew tense and chaotic very quickly.

The police opened fire on the protesters and tear gas shells and rubber bullets were seen flying in the air.

The demonstrators also hit back with tree branches and water bottles.

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The Kathmandu District Administration Office issued a curfew around the parliament, the government secretariat, the presidential house, and key parts of the city.

Multiple media outlets reported that dozens of protesters injured in the firing are now being treated at several hospitals in the city.

Smaller protests, however, continued into late Monday evening.