Nepal Army protects the streets after protests intensify

Kathmandu, Nepal (AP) – Nepal soldiers on Wednesday ordered people to stay home as they protected the streets of the country’s capital and later moved to restore order Tens of thousands of protesters They attacked, set fire to government buildings and attacked politicians.

Armed forces defending key areas of Kathmandu appeared to give a sense of control as they returned to the city, which had been caught up in violence and chaos the day before. Soldiers spoke to residents about the wurfew outside the door as they checked the vehicles and people.

The Army warned late Tuesday that security forces were committed to preserving law and order. Armies were rarely mobilized in Nepal and initially remained in the barracks as police were unable to control the situation. An Army statement said 27 looters had been arrested.

Early on Tuesday The protests have become increasingly violent Protesters set fire to government buildings and politician homes and attacked several leaders. As criticism of the country’s political elite grew, the prime minister resigned, but it seemed to have little effect on his anxiety.

Tens of thousands of protesters remained on the streets, blocking roads and raiding government facilities. Army helicopters ferry some ministers safely.

Also, on Tuesday, hundreds of inmates fled from prisons in Kathmandu and other cities and other cities after police abandoned the post as police attacked security forces.

The anger over the ban on social media was just the beginning

Monday, a demonstration led by angry young people about blocking several social media sites Police fired fire at the crowd after grabbing Kathmandu.kills 19 people. The social media ban was lifted on Tuesday, The protest continuedsupported by the deaths and rage over the accusations of political corruption.

Head of State President Ram Chandra Puder urged protesters to pursue a peaceful resolution and stop further escalation. He accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli Although Ori’s position and location were not clear, he was tasked with leading the caretaker government until a new government was in place.

The demonstration, called the Gen Z protest, began after the government blocked social media platforms such as Facebook, X and YouTube. The company failed to register Submitted to government oversight.

The protest is spiraled to reflect broader dissatisfaction.

Many young people are angry that children of political leaders (so-called NEPO children) appear to enjoy a gorgeous lifestyle and many benefits, but most young people struggle to find work. The World Bank said that youth unemployment rates were operating at around 20% last year, so the government estimates that more than 2,000 young people will leave the country daily to seek jobs in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.

Political leaders, buildings and houses have been targeted

The video shared on social media shows protesters who defeated Nepal’s parliamentary party leader Shah Bahadur Dova and his wife, Arzu Rana Duba, the current Foreign Minister. Both appeared to be bleeding, but one video shows the party leader being safely helped. The party is the largest of the country and is part of the governing coalition.

Smoke was still rising Wednesday from the Congressional buildings, the president’s house, the central secretariat that houses the prime minister and major ministries offices, as well as the prime minister’s civil servants.

The publication building in Kantipur, Nepal’s largest media outlet, was torched and damaged. The car showroom was also torched, with burnt-out cars scattered across the street.

In addition to 19 deaths, many people were injured. Oli ordered an investigation into the shooting and promised compensation to his family.

The government is trying to regulate social media

The violence unfolded as Nepal government pursues a broader attempt to regulate social media with a bill aimed at ensuring that the platform is “goodly managed, responsible and accountable.”

That’s the proposal It has been widely criticized as a censorship tool And to punish the government’s enemies who express their protests online.

The bill requires businesses to appoint national liaison offices or contact details. Rights groups call it an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression and fundamental rights.

The registration requirements were applied to around 20 social networks widely used in Nepal. Those that did not comply were blocked last week, but Tiktok, Vieber and three other registered platforms were operating uninterrupted.