The Nepalese government has rescinded its ban on several social media platforms, which led to violent clashes between police and protesters. The unrest resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals and left 347 injured. According to Bloomberg,
last week, Nepal imposed a ban on various social media platforms that had not registered in the country, including Facebook, X, and YouTube. The government claimed that these new registration rules would help prevent the spread of fake news and cybercrime. However, protesters argued that these restrictions reflect an authoritarian stance by the government and accused it of failing to combat widespread corruption. On Monday, protests in the capital Kathmandu escalated into clashes when law enforcement used tear gas, water cannons, and even live ammunition after demonstrators breached a secured area near the parliament. Local media reports indicate that 19 people died and 347 were injured in these confrontations. Nepal's Minister of Communication, Information, and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that the government had reversed its earlier decision to ban several social media platforms, stating after an emergency Cabinet meeting on Monday that this was in response to the protesters' demands. The Nepalese Cabinet has now formed a special committee to investigate the violence and has been given 15 days to prepare a report.