16 Killed as Protesters Storm Nepal's Parliament; PM Oli Condemns 'Anarchy'
Kathmandu (The Uttam Hindu): After the ban on many social media sites including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube in Nepal, thousands of youth of Generation G (18 to 30 years) took to the streets of the capital Kathmandu on Monday. In protest against the ban, the youth tried to enter the Parliament House complex located in New Baneshwor. According to information, 16 people have died in this demonstration, while more than 200 people are said to be injured.
The protesters also tried to damage the barricades and set fire, after which the security forces used water cannons. To control the protesters, the police fired tear gas shells. Some protesters are reported to be injured. In view of the situation, the Kathmandu district administration imposed curfew in New Baneshwor and its surrounding areas at 12.30 pm till 10 pm.
Nepal government gave clarification
Nepal government says that social media sites have been banned because they are not 'registered', while the protesting youth say that there is corruption and unemployment in the country and the ban has been imposed for raising questions on this. After this violent movement, PM KP Oli said, "I have heard about a well-planned 'Gen-Z rebellion'. We are not against social media. We are against anarchy, arrogance and demeaning our country. What cannot be accepted is those who do business in Nepal, earn money and still do not follow the law." According to Nepal PMO, PM KP Oli said that how can it be accepted to disregard the law and constitution and disrespect the national dignity, independence and sovereignty.
The Prime Minister said that for a year we told social networking sites to register under the law, pay taxes and be accountable. They replied, 'We do not know your Constitution.' Then the intellectuals complain that four jobs were lost, but are four jobs bigger than national pride? Maybe four jobs are lost for four days, but new jobs will come. They cannot be operators, managers and consumers simultaneously.” KP Oli addressed party delegates on the last day of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (Unified Marxist-Leninist) convention. Oli said the party will always oppose discrepancies and arrogance and will never accept any action that weakens the nation. On August 25, the Nepal Cabinet had decided that all social media operators must register within seven days under the Directive on Regulation of Use of Social Media, 2023, and the deadline expired on September 3. On September 4, the Nepal government blocked all unregistered social media platforms, The Kathmandu Post reported.
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) shared the names of 26 platforms, including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, Discord, Pinterest, Signal, Threads, WeChat, Quora, Tumblr, Clubhouse, Mastodon, Rumble, VK, Line, IMO, Zalo, Solve and Hamro Patro.