At least 13 people were killed and dozens more injured in Kathmandu after demonstrations against a government social media directive turned violent, officials said.
Thousands of demonstrators who had heeded a call from groups describing themselves as Generation Z gathered near Nepal’s parliament to protest restrictions on platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube. Demonstrators carried placards reading "enough is enough" and "end to corruption," and some said they were protesting what they described as the government’s authoritarian attitude.
Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba, told the BBC that police had been forced to use water cannon, batons and rubber bullets during clashes. A police spokesman, Shekhar Khanal, told the AFP news agency that tear gas and water cannon were deployed after some protesters breached a restricted area near the parliament and climbed over a wall. A Kathmandu district office spokesperson said a curfew was imposed in areas around the parliament after protesters attempted to enter the restricted zone.
The unrest follows a government order last week directing 26 social media platforms to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Authorities said platforms that failed to meet the registration deadline would be blocked, and since Friday users have reported difficulty accessing many services, with some turning to virtual private networks to get around restrictions. Two platforms have been reactivated after completing registration with the ministry, officials said.
The government has defended the move as an attempt to bring platforms into compliance with Nepali law and to tackle fake news, hate speech and online fraud. Many Nepalese rely on social media for entertainment, news and business, and the measures have drawn criticism from users and rights groups who say the restrictions threaten free expression.
Security forces and demonstrators clashed as the rally moved toward the restricted parliamentary zone, according to police statements and witness accounts. Authorities said they used progressively forceful measures after protesters entered areas where access was barred. Medical and emergency officials reported multiple casualties; authorities have not immediately released a full breakdown of fatalities or the identities of those killed.
Protest organizers and participants said the demonstrations were driven by broader grievances about governance and civil liberties in addition to opposition to the social media controls. The movement mobilized quickly on social networks, despite access difficulties, illustrating the centrality of such platforms to political organization and commerce in Nepal.
The situation remained fluid as authorities imposed local curfews and sought to restore order. Government officials reiterated that the registration requirement was a regulatory measure rather than a permanent ban, and said platforms that comply with the ministry’s rules would be permitted to operate. International rights groups and foreign governments have called for restraint from both protesters and security forces and urged that any restrictions comply with international human rights standards.
This is a developing story and details, including the final casualty toll and any potential legal or political responses, may change as officials provide further information.