Nepal’s government scrapped a days-old prohibition on social-media after the ban sparked deadly clashes between police and protesters that local media reported left 19 people dead and 347 injured.
Nepal’s Minister for Communication, Information and Broadcasting Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the government had withdrawn its earlier decision to ban several social media platforms, saying after an emergency Cabinet meeting that it was "addressing the demand of Gen-Z.”
Police had fired tear gas, used water cannons, and even shot live rounds after protesters breached a restricted area near the parliament in the capital, Kathmandu. Protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Shut down corruption and not social media,” and "Youths against corruption,” prompting the government to announced a curfew in several parts of the city.
Last week, the South Asian nation banned several social media platforms that had failed to register with the government, including Facebook, X and YouTube. TikTok, a popular mobile video application, complied with the directive and is currently active.
The communications minister urged the Gen-Z group to call off its demonstrations.
"Since protests were being staged using this issue as a pretext, the decision has been taken to reopen social media sites,” he said. The cabinet has formed an investigation committee to look into the violence and has been given 15 days’ time to prepare a report, according to NDTV. – Bloomberg
