KATHMANDU, Nepal: Nepal rolled back its social media ban on Tuesday (Sep 9), a day after at least 19 people were killed in protests demanding that the government lift its restrictions and tackle corruption.
All major social media apps were working, an AFP reporter in Kathmandu said, as the government ordered a probe into the violence that saw police launch one of the deadliest crackdowns on protesters for years.
“The social media platforms have been opened, which was among the Gen Z’s demands,” Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP, referring to young people aged largely in their 20s.
“We are open to talk with the protesters.”
A curfew was imposed in several cities on Tuesday morning, but groups angry over the violence and deaths defied it.
Some targeted the properties of politicians and government buildings, according to an AFP photographer and local media reports.
Others burnt tyres, shouting slogans demanding accountability from the authorities.
“Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state – that shows the scale of police brutality,” 23-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari said Tuesday, who took part in the protests a day earlier.
“The government … have to take responsibility for the lives that were lost.”
Several social media sites – including Facebook, YouTube and X – were blocked on Friday in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, after the government cut access to 26 unregistered platforms.
The ban sparked widespread fury, especially among the younger generation who rely heavily on the apps for communication. Many took to the streets on Monday demanding it be repealed.
Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe.
One eyewitness said she had “never seen such a disturbing situation” at the hospital where dozens of the 400 injured were treated.
“Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, speaking during the protests.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/major-social-media-sites-back-online-nepal-after-deadly-protests-5339346
