Kathmandu : Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed deep sorrow after at least 19 people died when a Gen-Z–led protest against corruption and the social media ban turned violent in Kathmandu and other cities.
Nepal’s youth organized the demonstrations, but unidentified groups infiltrated the crowd and triggered widespread arson, vandalism, and clashes with security forces.
PM Oli announced a high-level probe committee to investigate the sequence of events that caused the bloodshed.
“I am extremely saddened that citizens lost their lives during today’s protest. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and relatives who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable incident,” he said.
The Prime Minister rejected claims that his government wanted to shut down social media. “The government had not, and does not, adopt any policy to shut down social media,” he clarified.
He explained that officials deactivated certain platforms only to comply with a Supreme Court directive that requires companies to register in Nepal.
Oli blamed “vested interests” for hijacking the protest. “Even the organizers had declared the protest a success and urged people to return home. But infiltrators carried out acts of vandalism and arson,” he noted.
After the violence, the cabinet met late at night and decided to form an inquiry panel with a 15-day deadline to submit its report, a senior minister confirmed.
Despite public expectation, the government did not lift the social media ban because of Oli’s strong opposition. Ironically, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X began working again late at night without any official announcement.
Earlier in the day, senior leaders of the Nepali Congress urged the government to remove the ban, warning that public anger was intensifying.
The government promised compensation for families of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured, while assuring accountability through the probe.
Also Read : Nepal Gen Z Protests Turn Deadly: Eight Killed in Clashes
