At Least 14 Killed in Nepal Protests Over Social Media Ban

At least 14 people have been killed during protests in the capital of Nepal, reports the Nepal News portal. Earlier, six deaths were reported. Dozens of injured people have been taken to hospitals in Kathmandu.

On September 8, a protest called the "Generation Z Revolution" was held near the parliament building in Kathmandu. According to India Today, thousands of demonstrators participated, opposing a government decision announced last week to restrict the operation of social networks and messengers in the country, as well as protesting against corruption. Protesters broke through barricades and stormed the parliament building.

Clashes occurred between demonstrators and the police. According to India Today, law enforcement officers used water cannons, tear gas, and then opened fire. The authorities have imposed a curfew in the parliament area and other important locations in the capital. Protests against the social media ban were held not only in Kathmandu but also in several other major cities in Nepal. The Russian Embassy in Nepal has advised its citizens not to go out on the streets.

It is recalled that on September 4, the Nepalese government imposed a ban on WhatsApp, as well as Facebook, Instagram, and other major social networks that failed to register with the country's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology within the set deadline.

This decision was made in accordance with a Supreme Court directive, which obliges the government to ensure the official registration of all online platforms and social networks, both local and foreign, before they begin operating in Nepal, to enable the monitoring of undesirable content. Access to the platforms was blocked after none of them submitted a registration application.