Kathmandu, September 8, 2025: At least 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured in Nepal’s capital on Monday after police opened fire on thousands of protesters demonstrating against alleged government corruption and a controversial ban on social media platforms.
The unrest erupted as crowds of mostly young demonstrators, many students in school uniforms, attempted to storm parliament in Kathmandu, chanting “Stop corruption, not social media.” Protesters pushed through barbed wire and overwhelmed riot police, who retreated inside the parliament complex before firing live rounds, tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.
“The police have been firing indiscriminately,” one protester told ANI news agency, describing how a friend was shot in the hand.
Police confirmed more than 100 people, including 28 officers, were receiving treatment for injuries. State TV reported that the army has been deployed, while a curfew has been imposed around Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s residence and government precinct.
The demonstrations followed the government’s decision last week to block access to major social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, after companies failed to register with authorities under new regulations. Only a handful of apps, including TikTok and Viber, have complied.
Officials say the restrictions are needed to curb misuse, but critics and rights groups denounce the measures as censorship aimed at silencing dissent. The government has also introduced a bill in parliament that would require platforms to set up liaison offices in Nepal, a move activists warn could be used to punish political opponents.
Nepal’s internet penetration stands at about 90 percent of its 30 million people, making online platforms central to youth expression and activism. Organisers have dubbed the unrest a “Gen Z movement,” reflecting widespread frustration with corruption and disillusionment with the political elite.
“This has disheartened the young generation,” said protester Shishir Bishowkarma. “For the first time, we have taken to the streets against corruption and the arbitrary use of state power. We want to show that the new generation is politically aware.”
The protests spread to other cities on Monday, with demonstrators lighting fires and waving national flags outside government buildings. Rights groups have warned that the death toll could rise if authorities continue using lethal force.
