Nepal renounces the prohibition on social networks after violent protests resulting in 19 dead
The Kathmandu government raised the prohibition on online platforms, after thousands of young people went out, and the confrontations with the police resulted in at least 19 dead and over 100 injured.
Violent protests in Nepal resulted in 19 dead photo: x
On Monday, thousands of young people forcefully entered the Kathmandu Parliament building, asking the government to return to the decision to block 26 social platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. They also demanded firm measures against corruption.
Following the violence, at least 19 people were killed, and over 100 were injured. The protests have expanded to other cities outside the capital. Some protesters threw stones in the house of Prime Minister Kp Sharma Oli, located in his hometown, Damak.
Decision after an emergency meeting
The government announced the lifting of the ban on Monday evening, following an emergency session of the cabinet. “I made this decision to respond to the requests of generation Z ”said the Minister of Communications and Information, Prithvi Subba Gurung, quoted by the BBC.
Prohibition justified by “combating misinformation”
The measure of blocking the social networks had been imposed last week, the authorities arguing that they seek to reduce the spread of false news, instigating speeches and online fraud.
However, young people perceived this decision as an abuse of power and accused the government of authoritarian attitude. Many of them went out with banners inscribed with messages such as “reach“And”stop corruption”.
Social networks, such as Instagram, have millions of users in Nepal, being used daily for both entertainment and information and business.
