Army called in to quell violent protests in Nepal after clashes over social media ban leave 19 dead
Authorities impose curfew in capital Kathmandu, following deadly clashes between protesters and police, which also leave at least 347 injured
- Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigns after taking responsibility for crackdown on demonstrations
ANKARA
Nepal on Monday deployed military after clashes between protesters and police over a social media ban and alleged corruption left 19 people dead, local media reported.
The "decision came after protesters broke into restricted zones and entered the Federal Parliament premises," prompting the curfew, the Himalayan Times reported.
At least 347 people were injured, with hospitals being overcrowded, and dozens remain in critical condition, according to the Kathmandu Post.
Officials were yet to issue a statement on casualties.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on Monday evening, taking responsibility for the crackdown on demonstrations, according to the Himalayan Times.
According to hospital officials, at least 17 people died in different hospitals in Kathmandu alone.
In Sunsari, two protesters, who were shot during demonstrations in Itahari, also succumbed to their injuries, taking the nationwide toll to 19.
Authorities imposed a curfew in Kathmandu in the wake of the deadly protests.
The "Generation Z" protesters broke through police barricades. They climbed over parliament gates as security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, who had pledged earlier to remain peaceful, according to multiple news reports, and photos and footage shared online.
Protesters have been demonstrating in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Biratnagar, and other cities against alleged corruption and the ban on social media.
Last week, Nepal moved to block major social media platforms after they failed to register with the country’s authorities.
The Communication and Information Technology Ministry imposed the ban after giving the companies seven days from Aug. 28 to register with the government.
The platforms blocked include US company Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp along with YouTube, US social media company X, Reddit, and LinkedIn.
It said blocks would be lifted once the companies registered with the authorities.
Nepal's main opposition party had criticized the decision.
*Writing by Aamir Latif
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