At least 14 dead in Nepal protests over social media ban
Protesters pushed through fencing and forced riot police to retreat as they surrounded the parliament building in Kathmandu on Monday.
At least 14 people have been killed and dozens more injured in Nepal's capital as protesters clashed with police over a government decision to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube.
Protesters pushed through fencing and forced riot police to retreat as they surrounded the parliament building in Kathmandu on Monday.
Police were said to have shot at protesters trying to storm the parliament building.
Officers also fired tear gas and used water cannons, but were outnumbered and sought safety inside the parliamentary complex, the Associated Press news agency reported.
"Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption not social media," the crowds chanted and waved national flags.
State-run television reported the number of fatalities and wounded.
The unrest and violent clashes prompted authorities to impose a curfew across parts of the city, including the areas surrounding parliament and the presidential house.
Monday's rally was called the protest of Gen Z, generally referring to people born between 1995 and 2010.
The government said social media networks have repeatedly been given notices to register their companies officially in the country but had failed to do so.
Nepal's minister for communication and information Prithvi Subba Gurung said last week the platforms would be blocked immediately.
TikTok, Viber and three other platforms have registered and are operating without interruption.
