Police Open Fire on Protesters in Kathmandu, 17 Dead Amid Social Media Ban

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:06:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a violent escalation in Kathmandu, police opened fire on protesters opposing a government ban on social media, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Amidst rising tensions in Nepal, police have shot at protesters demonstrating against a ban on social media that includes widely-used platforms. The protests erupted in the capital, Kathmandu, leading to 17 deaths and over 140 injuries, prompting a curfew and raising alarms about censorship and public dissent.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Police in Kathmandu opened fire on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, resulting in at least 17 deaths and injuring 145 others, according to police official Shekhar Khanal. Among the injured were 28 police officers as smaller protests continued into the night.

Protesters gathered around the Parliament building, expressing their anger over the government blocking platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube, which officials claim failed to comply with registration and government oversight requirements.

The situation escalated when demonstrators breached police barricades made of barbed wire, forcing riot officers to retreat inside the Parliament complex. The police's reaction was violent, opening fire on the crowd, leading to significant casualties.

The government responded with a curfew in key areas of the city, including around the Parliament, secretariat, and presidential house. Hospital reports indicate that many of the wounded are in serious condition, with some having sustained gunshot wounds to vital areas.

Dr. Badri Risal, a physician at the National Trauma Center, noted that families anxiously waited for news of their relatives outside the hospital, while blood donors lined up to help.

The protests were characterized by cries for an end to the ban on social media, a tool young people utilize to express dissent and mobilize against the government. Many chanted, Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption, not social media. The rally has been dubbed the protest of Generation Z.

The government had issued multiple warnings to approximately two dozen social media platforms to register their businesses in Nepal, which is why they implemented a ban last week. Platforms like TikTok and Viber that have registered continue to operate without disruptions.

Concerns are rising as this government action is viewed as an attempt to suppress freedom of speech and punish dissenting voices, particularly among younger generations. The controversy lies in the bill currently under discussion in Parliament, which aims to tightly regulate social media and compel companies to appoint representatives in Nepal.

This isn't the first instance of social media regulation in Nepal. In 2023, TikTok was banned for allegedly disrupting social harmony but was reinstated after compliance with local laws. Activists warn this recent ban raises questions about the government's commitment to free expression.