There have been widespread protests under the leadership of youth to protest the demand for corruption and sanctions on social media. At least 7 cities of the country, including the capital Kathmandu, took place on Monday.
At least 19 people were killed and more than three hundred people were injured in a law enforcement clash with protesters. The most violence was in Kathmandu. 17 people were killed there. Protesters also tried to break the police barrier and enter the Parliament building.
Under the circumstances, the government issued a curfew in Kathmandu. The army was deployed. The Nepal government led by Prime Minister K Sharma Oli has banned 26 social media platforms and messages on the exchanges of the new rules. These include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X. In compliance with the rules, only five organizations, including TikTok, are exempt from the restrictions.
There was chaos across the country when the ban was implemented at midnight last Thursday. As a result, the business and the tourism sector are severely damaged. In addition, the citizens stopped communicating with their relatives in the expatriate community.
The outbreak of this was revealed on the highway in the capital Kathmandu yesterday. Thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest the government’s decision to close social media. The protests have also caused dissatisfaction against the government. Subana Budhathoki, a protester, told the BBC, “I think corruption is at the center of everyone’s attention rather than closing social media. We want to get back to our country, I have come to stop corruption. ‘
The clash started when the protesters tried to break the police barrier and enter the Parliament building. Police used sticks, tear in tears, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse the protesters. The shootings were also opened at one point.
At least 17 protesters were killed in clashes in the capital, according to various hospital sources, Nepal saidIts media is Kathmandu Post. After the conflict, the government has issued a curfew up to 10 o’clock in the area of Kathmandu, including the parliament building, and the government deployed the army till 10 o’clock last night. Later, in several areas of the city, restrictions were imposed on meetings and gatherings.
Yesterday, young people protested in the cities of Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak outside Kathmandu. Two of them were shot dead in the eastern ITAHARI city. Curfew has been issued in the area around the main square of the city. Protesters threw bricks at the Prime Minister’s residence in the city of Damak. The police fired blank shots and dispersed the protesters. 347 people injured in violence across the country are undergoing treatment at various hospitals, Kathmandu Post said.
Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned last night after a police clash with protesters.
The Human Rights High Commissioner’s Office of the United Nations has sought a speedy and transparent investigation into the violence in Nepal. At the same time, they urged the government to revisit the decision to impose restrictions on social media.
That’s how yesterday’s protests were
The angry gathered at the Maitighar area of Kathmandu at 9am yesterday morning to highlight their dissatisfaction. According to the Kathmandu District Administration Office, an organization called Hami Nepal organized the rally yesterday. For this, they wanted approval in advance. Chairperson Sudhan Gurung of the organization said they organized the protest against the government’s steps and corruption. A similar assembly is organized in other parts of the country.
From where the crisis begins
Recently, after an order of the court, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Nepal set seven days to register the Social Media companies. The ban on 26 social media and messaging apps was implemented for not registering within that timeframe.
The government said that new rules on social media have been implemented mainly to the violent statements, fake news, and online crime.
TikTok since this banIn contrast to the lives of ordinary Nepali, politicians’ children’s luxury products and videos of expensive vacations spread.
A group of journalists held a rally in the capital on Sunday to protest the government’s decision. However, Prime Minister K Sharma Oli expressed dissatisfaction with the critics. In a statement on Sunday, he said, “The country’s freedom is bigger than losing the work of some people. How can the law be ignored, contempt of the constitution, and disrespect of national dignity, independence, and sovereignty? ‘
Criter says critics say that the freedom of expression is being restricted by the government during the government. Earlier in 2023, 9 months ago from the conflict over hate speech and cyber crimeThere is a ban on it. Later, the TikTok authorities were allowed to run the activities again after the registration of the government.
