Nepal lifts ban on social media after deadly protests

Nepal rolled back its social media ban on Tuesday, a day after at least 19 people were killed in protests demanding the government lift its restrictions and tackle corruption.

All major social media apps were working, an AFP reporter in Kathmandu said.
Nepal’s Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung was quoted by local media as saying that the government has withdrawn its ban following an emergency cabinet meeting. Following the violence, home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned at a cabinet meeting in the evening, local media reported.

The UN has demanded a swift probe into the killings of at least 19 demonstrators after receiving some “deeply worrying” reports.

Several social media sites – including Facebook, YouTube and X – was inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused, leading to Monday’s demonstrations.

We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24.

“We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”
Police used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and batons when the demonstrators pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament.

On top of the 19 protesters killed, the violence left 400 others, including 100 policemen, injured, according to the Kathmandu valley police.

“I had been there for a peaceful protest, but the government used force,” said Iman Magar, 20, who was hit in his right arm.

“It was not a rubber bullet but a metallic one, and it took away a part of my hand. The doctor says I need to undergo an operation.”

The United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe of the deaths from the use of “disproportionate force” by police.

“We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.
“We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces.”

Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters.

LND/SAE