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Following violent clashes, the KP Oli government in Nepal is on the defensive. The ban on social media sites has been lifted. This decision was made late at night after an emergency cabinet meeting. Subsequently, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned. Despite this, protesters remain unyielding, now demanding the resignation of Prime Minister KP Oli.
The streets of Kathmandu are filled with people expressing significant anger. They state that the protests will not cease and are now focused on corruption, not just social media restrictions. Disturbingly, reports indicate that school-aged children were shot in the head during the protests. The government’s consideration for the parents of the deceased children is questioned.
Outraged individuals claim that children were shot in the head, all between the ages of 18 and 19. The primary demand is to remove the current government and form a new one. They want the Prime Minister to resign and reject the existing government. The movement will continue until the government steps down. Protesters are steadfast in their refusal to leave the streets. Security forces have been heavily deployed in Kathmandu to control the demonstrations.
More than 21 fatalities have been reported.
The protests were triggered by the Oli government’s recent actions. The government suddenly banned 26 social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, citing regulations. The government had ordered all social media platforms to register within 7 days, following a Supreme Court directive.
Critics are accusing the government of suppressing freedom of expression. They claim the government is using the social media ban to hide corruption. Platforms from China have not been shut down. The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal has appealed to the government and police to exercise restraint in handling the protests, as the situation worsens.
