At least 19 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in Kathmandu after tens of thousands took to the streets on Monday, protesting the government’s ban on major social media platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube for failing to register under new state regulations.
Nepal protest (Photo Credits: UNI)
At least 19 people were killed and over 200 others were wounded, some of them seriously, after massive ‘Gen Z’ protests in Kathmandu and other areas in Nepal on Monday.
The protests had erupted after the Nepal Government banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat.
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Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called a National Security Council meeting as thousands of young protesters took to the streets, denouncing both the ban and what they called rampant government corruption.
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The demonstrations that witnessed clashes between the police personnel and protesters have already left around 19 people dead, and more than 200 injured.
Day-long curfew has been imposed in several parts of Kathmandu following the clashes. One of the main organisers of today’s protests is the NGO Hami Nepal. Established in 2015, the group is best known for its humanitarian efforts—carrying out rescue missions, distributing food, and restoring water supplies after floods and earthquakes.
While the organisation has no previous record of political activism, it recently began rallying support for anti-corruption demonstrations through online appeals on its Discord channels—a platform currently banned in Nepal. To get around restrictions on apps like Instagram and Discord, protesters have been relying on VPNs to coordinate and stay connected.
Millennials, boomers, and opposition parties unite in protests
Earlier in the day, protesters vandalised the Parliament gate as demonstrations turned violent. Reports suggest the protesters comprise a mix of Gen Z, millennials, and even boomers, united in their outrage against government corruption and misgovernance. Major opposition political parties, including the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist), have thrown their weight behind the protests, calling for Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation as the crisis deepens.
#WATCH | Nepal | Protestors vandalise the Parliament gate as the protest turned violent in Kathmandu, as people staged a massive protest against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters pic.x.com/dkh9Mg7BGc
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
The situation had worsened earlier in day after the protesters had breached the restricted zone and entered the Parliament premises. Police had responded with water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition, injuring many.
Nepal blocked access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, after they failed to register with the authorities. In a crackdown on the platforms’ misuse, the government said users with fake IDs were spreading hatred and rumours, committing cybercrime, and disturbing social harmony via some platforms in a nation where 90 per cent of the 30 million population uses the internet.
#WATCH | Nepal | Protest turned violent in Kathmandu as people staged a massive protest against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters. pic.x.com/YWNj3R0wUG
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
Curfew extended beyond Kathmandu
The Kathmandu District Administration Office had earlier imposed a curfew in and around New Baneshwar after clashes broke out between protesters and police Monday morning.
The curfew, first enforced in parts of New Baneshwar after protesters entered a restricted area, has now been expanded to cover a larger zone. It includes the President’s residence in Shital Niwas, the Maharajgunj area, the Vice President’s residence in Lainchaur, all sides of Singha Durbar, the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and nearby areas.
The order restricts movement, gatherings, demonstrations, or encirclements within these zones.
Demonstrators broke through barricades, damaged property, and forced their way into restricted areas near the Parliament building, where they hurled water bottles and tree branches at police. Security forces responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Protesters in Pokhara tried to storm the Chief Minister’s residence and office as Gen Z-led demonstrations against corruption and the government’s social media ban intensified. Authorities have since imposed a citywide curfew to contain the unrest, following reports that the Chief Minister’s office was vandalized during Monday’s protests.
Curfews have been extended in several cities across Nepal, including Itahari and Rupandehi.
Police open fire on violent protesters
Besides teargas and water cannon, police also opened fire at the protesters. The police fired gunshots after the anti-corruption movement, led by the youth, took a violent turn and protesters attempted to enter the Parliament building premises.
Following the firing, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who had been attending a parliamentary committee meeting, stepped out, citing the need for an emergency meeting. While gunfire erupted in New Baneshwar, the Home Minister was inside a parliamentary committee meeting, but he immediately left upon receiving the information.
#WATCH | Nepal | Protest turned violent in Kathmandu as people staged a massive protest outside Kathmandu Parliament against the ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media sites, leading to clashes between police and protesters. pic.x.com/XsGv1u6UFY
— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2025
Police had also opened fire in Damak, the hometown of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, after a Gen Z-led protest escalated on Monday, according to eyewitnesses. One person was injured in the firing, leaving the town on edge.
The demonstration began at 11 am from Akashe Bridge and proceeded towards the Damak Municipality office, where police resorted to baton charges to disperse the rally.
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