Kathmandu, Sept 8 (HS): At least 19 people were killed and more than 300 injured in Nepal’s capital after massive Gen-Z-led protests against a government ban on 26 social media apps turned violent on Monday. Amid the escalating unrest, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, taking responsibility for the crisis.

Police deployed water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators who forced their way through barbed wire and clashed with riot forces outside Parliament. Waving national flags, protesters demanded an end to corruption and chanted slogans against the government’s curbs on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

The Oli government imposed the ban on September 4, citing non-compliance with registration laws and tabled a bill in Parliament to place greater oversight on digital platforms. Critics have denounced the move as political censorship aimed at silencing dissent.

The protests, dubbed the “Gen-Z Uprising,” prompted the army’s deployment across Kathmandu and the imposition of a curfew. Schools in the capital will remain shut on Tuesday. Protesters are also calling for Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation.

Former Foreign Minister N.P. Saud said unemployment and government failure to address systemic corruption had fueled the unrest, adding that a legal solution was now critical.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar