Nepal Protests Turn Deadly Over Social Media Ban

At least 14 people have lost their lives in Nepal after mass protests against a government ban on social media spiraled into violent clashes with security forces.

The unrest broke out in Kathmandu on Sunday after authorities blocked 26 platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Thousands of mostly young protesters carrying the national flag marched towards parliament, chanting: “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption, not social media.”

What started as peaceful demonstrations quickly descended into chaos. Witnesses said police opened fire as some protesters attempted to storm the parliament building. Security forces also used rubber bullets, water cannons, and batons to disperse the crowds.

Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Prithvi Subba, confirmed to the BBC that officers used force in a bid to control the unrest. A curfew has since been declared across parts of the capital to restore calm.

The government said the ban was introduced after major social media platforms failed to meet a registration deadline. Officials insist the regulation is meant to tackle fake news and online fraud. Critics, however, argue that the move attacks free speech and unfairly targets the country’s youth.

The protests, now widely described as a “Gen Z uprising,” have seen young Nepalis take the lead against what they consider censorship and government overreach. With tensions still high, there are growing fears of more casualties if the standoff continues.