Deadly Clashes in Nepal: Gen Z Protests Turn Violent Amid Social Media Crackdown
At least 19 people have died and hundreds more injured following clashes between police and Gen Z protesters in Nepal, officials confirmed on Monday. The demonstrations, which began in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu, quickly spread to major cities including Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari, and Damak.
Young demonstrators, mainly students and youth organizations, rallied against government corruption and recent restrictions on social media platforms. The protests escalated despite the imposition of a nationwide curfew starting at 3:30 p.m., with security forces deploying water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
Casualties and Hospital Reports
- National Trauma Centre, Kathmandu: 8 dead; 10 in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
- Everest Hospital, Baneshwar: 3 dead; 4 in critical condition.
- Civil Hospital, Kathmandu: 3 dead; over 100 receiving treatment.
- Kathmandu Medical College (KMC): 2 dead; 37 treated for injuries.
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital: 1 dead; 18 receiving care.
- BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan: 1 fatality from Itahari protests.
Additional hospitals across the country are treating hundreds of injured protesters, bringing the total number of those receiving medical care to at least 347. Dozens of patients are reported to be in critical condition.
Protests Across Nepal
The demonstrations originated in front of the federal parliament in New Baneshwar, where protesters clashed violently with security forces. In Sunsari, a protester was killed on the spot outside the Itahari sub-metropolitan office, and another succumbed to injuries at Dharan’s BP Koirala Health Institute.
In Jhapa district, demonstrators hurled stones at the residence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Damak. Police responded by firing warning shots into the air, while protesters blocked sections of the East-West Highway by burning tires. Similar protests erupted in Pokhara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, and Nepalgunj.
Authorities and Human Rights Response
The Nepal Police confirmed the use of live ammunition as a last resort, alongside tear gas and water cannons, in response to growing unrest. Authorities have enforced curfews and restricted movement in areas most affected by the protests, while patrolling key intersections across Kathmandu and other cities.
The National Human Rights Commission issued a statement urging both security forces and protesters to exercise restraint. It emphasized that the Nepalese Constitution and international law guarantee the right to peaceful dissent and described the escalation of violence and property damage as “regrettable.”
Background and Implications
These protests, led predominantly by Gen Z, reflect widespread frustration with the government’s perceived failures, including corruption and heavy-handed control of social media. Thousands of young people took to the streets, signaling a growing movement demanding transparency, accountability, and digital freedoms.
As hospitals continue to treat the injured and authorities maintain heightened security, the situation remains tense. Analysts warn that ongoing suppression of peaceful demonstrations could further inflame public outrage, potentially leading to a larger national crisis.