Army called in to quell violent protests in Nepal after clashes over social media ban leave 14 dead

Nepal deployed military on Monday amid deadly clashes between protesters and police over a social media ban and alleged corruption, which have killed at least 14 people.

cumhuriyet.com.tr

The "decision came after protesters broke into restricted zones and entered the Federal Parliament premises," prompting the curfew, the Himalayan Times reported.

At least 123 people were injured, with hospitals being overcrowded, according to the MyRepublica news website.

Officials were yet to issue a statement on casualties.

Seven protesters brought to the National Trauma Centre died, while another 10 remained in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the head and chest, hospital official Dr. Dipendra Pandey told local English daily Kathmandu Post.

More than 20 others were receiving treatment.

Three protesters died at Everest Hospital, where more than 50 others are receiving treatment, with four in critical condition.

Another four were brought dead to different hospitals as the identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

Authorities imposed a curfew in the capital, Kathmandu, in the wake of the deadly protests.

The "Generation Z" protesters broke through police barricades. They climbed over parliament gates as security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, who had pledged earlier to remain peaceful, according to multiple news reports, and photos and footage shared online.

Protesters have been demonstrating in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Biratnagar, and other cities against alleged corruption and the ban on social media.

Last week, Nepal moved to block major social media platforms after they failed to register with the government.

The Communication and Information Technology Ministry issued the ban after giving the companies seven days from Aug. 28 to register with the government.

The platforms blocked include US company Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, along with YouTube, US social media company X, Reddit, and LinkedIn.

It said blocks would be lifted once the companies registered with the authorities.

Nepal's main opposition party had criticized the decision.