Nepal has been plunged into chaos after at least 19 people were killed and hundreds injured when security forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting a government-imposed nationwide social media ban and widespread corruption.
The protests, which erupted on Monday, quickly escalated into one of the largest youth-led uprisings in the country’s recent history. Thousands of demonstrators, many from the so-called “Gen Z movement,” flooded the streets demanding the government lift restrictions on social media and take decisive action against corruption.
By Tuesday, the unrest spiraled out of control. Protesters torched Nepal’s parliament building, attacked officials’ residences, and even forced Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel to flee from an angry crowd. The scenes marked one of the most violent episodes of political unrest in the Himalayan nation in years.
Amid the turmoil, Prime Minister Sharma Oli announced his resignation, unable to withstand mounting pressure from both enraged citizens and the violent street protests.
Rights groups have condemned the government’s response, with Amnesty International reporting that police used live ammunition against demonstrators in an attempt to suppress the movement.
The protests underscore deep frustration among Nepal’s youth, who see the social media ban not only as censorship but also as a symbol of a corrupt and unresponsive government. With parliament in ruins and leadership in disarray, Nepal faces an uncertain political future.
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