Kathmandu, September 09(HS):

Fresh protests gripped Nepal on Tuesday for the second consecutive day, with demonstrators, including many youths, taking to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities. The unrest follows the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli revoking a ban on social media platforms after deadly clashes that left at least 19 people dead and over 300 injured. Despite the ban being lifted, tensions remain high as protesters continue to demand Oli’s resignation, protesting against government corruption and suppression of digital freedom.

Protesters marched through the capital, pelting stones, while authorities deployed tear gas and water cannons to quell the crowds. An indefinite curfew remains imposed in several parts of Kathmandu, including areas near the Parliament, Prime Minister’s residence, and key government offices. The protest movement, led primarily by Nepal’s Generation Z, began as opposition to the ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, which the government had enforced for alleged non-compliance with registration rules.

The demonstrations escalated when some protesters entered the Parliament compound, prompting a heavy police response. Amid the crisis, Nepal’s Home Minister resigned on moral grounds, and the government promised to reinstate social media access. However, the wider demands of the young protesters persist, focusing on calls to tackle corruption and hold the government accountable.

As the city remains on edge, authorities maintain strict prohibitory orders and continue curfew enforcement to attempt to restore order while addressing the ongoing political crisis .

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar