Nepal Protests Over Social Media Ban: 17 Dead, 145 Injured

Deadly Protests Erupt in Nepal

• 💥 Tens of thousands of people, many of them young, protested in Nepal's capital after the government banned social media platforms.
• ⚠️ Protesters breached barbed wire and barricades, storming the Nepalese Parliament building.
• 🚨 Police initially used tear gas and water cannons but were outnumbered, eventually opening fire.

Social Media Ban and Government Oversight

• 🚫 The Nepalese government blocked platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube for failing to register and submit to government oversight.
• 📝 A new bill requires social media companies to register in Nepal and appoint a liaison officer, ostensibly for "proper management, responsibility, and accountability."
• 💬 Critics argue the bill is a tool for censorship, despite some platforms like TikTok and Viber complying with the government's demands.

Casualties and Government Response

• 💔 At least 17 people were killed and 145 were wounded, including 28 police officers, during the clashes.
• 🚓 Authorities have announced a curfew in key areas, including around the parliament and presidential house, to control the ongoing unrest.