Kathmandu, Nepal (AP) – Nepal police The capital of Kathmandu Protesters protesting against the government fired on Monday Trying to regulate social media This has blocked some of the world’s largest platforms, including Facebook, X and YouTube. At least 17 people have died.
The meeting cleared the streets Parliament The building was surrounded by tens of thousands of people angry at authorities who said that businesses were unable to register and submit to government oversight. At least 145 people were injured, officials said.
Protesters pierced barbed wire and forced riot police to retreat within the Congressional complex.
The shootings unfolded as the government pursues a broader attempt to regulate social media with a bill aimed at ensuring that the platform is “goodly managed, responsible and accountable.” The proposal has been widely criticized as a tool for censorship and as a tool for punishing government opponents who express protests online.
Approximately 20 widely used social networks In Nepal The government said that notifications have been repeatedly given to officially registering the company in the Himalayan countries. Those who fail to register have been blocked since last week.
Neither Google, which owns YouTube, nor Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, responded to requests for comment from the Associated Press. Elon Musk’s X platform also did not respond.
Video sharing apps Tiktok, Viber and three other platforms are registering and operating without interruption.
The death toll was announced by police officer Shekal Kanar. He said 28 officers were among the injured.
The situation remains tense and the government has issued a curfew on parliament, government offices, presidential homes and key parts of the city.
The scores for the seven killed and injured were accepted at the National Trauma Centre, the country’s leading hospital in the heart of Kathmandu.
“Many of them look serious and shot in the head and chest,” Dr. Budri Lisa said. The family waited worriedly for the news of relatives, but people lined up to donate their blood.
“Stop the ban on social media. Stop corruption, not social media,” the crowd outside Congress chanted, waving red and blue flags. The Monday rally refers to people born between 1995 and 2010.
Protesters shout slogans as they gather outside the parliament building in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday, September 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Protesters shout slogans in front of armored vehicles outside the assembly building in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday, September 8, 2025 (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
The government’s proposed bill would include asking businesses to appoint liaison offices or domestic contact information. Rights groups call it an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression and fundamental rights.
Nepal was banned in 2023 Tiktok To confuse “social harmony, goodwill, and spread vulgar material.” The ban was lifted last year After Tiktok Executives pledged to comply with local laws, including the ban on porn sites passed in 2018.
