Nepal clashes: Demonstrators were planning to hold peaceful protest; police ‘shot friend in the head’

A massive protest outside the Kathmandu Parliament against the government’s ban on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms turned violent on Monday, as clashes broke out between police and demonstrators.

Many protesters said they had intended to hold a peaceful demonstration but were met with police aggression as they advanced.


“We were planning to hold a peaceful protest, but as we advanced further, we could see the violence by the police. The police are firing on the people, which is against the essence of peaceful protest,” a protester told ANI.

“Those who are sitting in power cannot impose their power on us. Anti-corruption protests are being suppressed, which is against the freedom of speech and the right to expression. The Police have been firing at protestors.”

Another demonstrator gave a vivid account of the violence, revealing that a bullet aimed at him struck a friend instead.

“A while ago, the police fired bullets which did not hit me but hit a friend of mine standing behind me. He was shot in the hand. The firing is still going on and we can hear gunfire from inside the parliament as well. My friend, who was standing on the road, was shot in the head. The police are firing indiscriminately, aiming above the knees. Are they allowed to do this?”

Nepal Police confirmed that nine people have died as the protests escalated, while demonstrators also vandalised the Parliament gate during the clashes.

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The demonstrations began in response to the social media ban, with citizens demanding the restoration of access to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms. Violence intensified as police sought to disperse the crowd, drawing widespread condemnation from protestors., ANI reported

The ban, which came into effect on September 4, targeted platforms that were not registered with the Nepalese government. Authorities claimed social media users with fake IDs were spreading hate speech, fake news, and committing fraud and other crimes on some platforms.

Local media reported that protesters marched from Damak Chowk towards the municipal office, burning an effigy of prime minister KP Sharma Oli and attempting to break municipal gates. Police responded with rubber bullets, leaving one protester critically injured, while demonstrators set fire to several motorcycles. Protesters also threw tree branches and water bottles, shouting slogans against government corruption, with some even entering the Parliament premises, according to Kathmandu Post.

The Himalayan Times described the situation as highly tense, with security forces working to restore order while safeguarding civilians. Beyond Kathmandu and Jhapa, Gen Z youths staged protests in Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, Nepalgunj, and Biratnagar.

Also read | Social media ban in Nepal: 18 killed as youths clash with police; army deployed