Protests Against Nepal’s Social Media Ban Grow More Violent As Demonstrators Set Buildings On Fire

KOLMANDU, Nepal (AP) -Nepal’s short-lived ban on social media GROW TO GRADUATED TO GRADUATE On Tuesday, demonstrators set fire to government buildings and politicians’ homes and attacked some leaders. The Prime Minister resigned by expanding the criticism of the country’s political elite.

Resignation had little effect on unrest. Tens of thousands of protesters stayed on the streets late day late, blocked the roads and threw the government facilities. Army helicopters took some ministers to safe places.

The day before, the demonstrations led by young people are angry about the blocking of several social media sites. He grasped capitalAnd the police opened fire on the crowds and killed 19 people.

The forbidden Tuesday was removed, but Protests continuedHe was angry with anger about the deaths and accusations of political corruption in the country stuck between China and India.

As the protests climb Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli He announced that he resigned. The President accepted the resignation and appointed Oli to lead a guard government until a new government was in place – but it was unclear what power and even where it was.

President Ram Chandra Poudel, President of the state ceremony, applied to participate in discussions to find a peaceful solution to the protesters and stop further climbing.

In a video message, Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel called for protesters to stop demonstrations to prevent loss of life and property and stand out for dialogue.

In a written statement, the army warned that the country’s security forces are determined to protect the law and order. It was not clear whether the army in the barracks so far would be mobilized to help after the police could not control the situation.

Gen Z’s protest began after blocking platforms, including the government, Facebook, X and YouTube. Companies could not register And submitting to government supervision.

However, the protests hugged to reflect wider discontent. In particular, many young people are angry that the children of political leaders, called Nepo children, enjoy their luxury lifestyles and countless advantages while most of them are struggling to find jobs. According to the World Bank, the government, with approximately 20% of the young unemployment last year, estimates that more than 2,000 young people abandoned the country to look for a job in Middle East or Southeast Asia.

“I’m here to protest the major corruption in our country,” a student Bishnu Thatin Cretri said. “The country has been so bad that there is no ground to stay for the US young people.”

The videos shared on social media showed that they beat the current Foreign Minister of the Protesters Nepali Congress Party Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba. Both showed that a video leader helped security, while both appeared to be bleeding. The party is the largest in the country and is part of the management coalition.

Local media and videos on social media showed protesters who attacked government buildings and the houses of the best political leaders during Tuesday.

The Presidential Palace, a building of the Prime Minister’s official residence and the prime minister offices and a few ministries were burned. Thick smoke rose from the Prime Ministry building.

Previously, Oli’s private house was set on fire like the president, the Minister of the Interior and the Deubas. The Nepal Opposition Communist Party (Maoist) leader’s house also shone.

Some protesters accused the government for the fire of the police, and increasingly asked for the prime minister’s duty.

Acharia, who is one of the protesters outside the battered wall of the Parliament Building on Tuesday, said, ız We are here to protest because our young people and friends are being killed. We are here to see that justice is over and the current regime was transferred. ” “KP Oli must be chased.”

The rallies of Monday were swollen against tens of thousands of people in Kathmandu, and the crowds besieged the parliament building before the police demonstrates the demonstrators.

“Stop the ban on social media. Stop corruption, not social media,” he damaged, shaking national flags.

19 In addition to death, the points were injured.

Before he resigned, Oli said he would create an investigation committee that would present a report on shooting within 15 days. Authorized, compensation to the families of the killed and the injured will receive free treatment, he added.

The Nepal government made a wider attempt with a draft law aimed at making social media’s social media platforms “appropriately managed, responsible and accountable and account”. Offer It was widely criticized as a tool for censorship And to punish the government competitors, who performed the protests online.

The bill will require companies to appoint a contact office or a contact point in the country. Right groups called the government’s attempt to prevent freedom of expression and freedom of fundamental rights.

The registration requirement was applied to approximately two dozen social networks commonly used in Nepal.

Neither Google, the owner of Youtube, nor Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s parent company Meta, did not respond to the requests of the Associated Press. Elon Musk’s X platform did not answer either.

Tiktok, Viber and three other platforms were registered and operated.

Nepal banned in 2023 Tiktok To disrupt “social harmony, honor and diffuse immoral materials”. The ban was removed last year After Tiktok Managers promised to comply with local laws, including the prohibition of pornographic sites adopted in 2018.