At least 19 people have been killed and over 340 injured, dozens critically, in violent clashes between security forces and youth-led protesters across Nepal on Monday, as demonstrations against government corruption and the ongoing social media ban spiraled into one of the deadliest days of civil unrest in recent years.
The protests, led by Generation Z activists, students, and youth organisations, erupted in multiple cities including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Itahari, Damak, Bharatpur, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, and Nepalgunj. The epicentre was New Baneshwar in Kathmandu, where thousands gathered near the Federal Parliament building demanding political reform and the restoration of banned platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.
Despite authorities imposing a curfew from 3:30 PM, the situation rapidly deteriorated as protesters defied restrictions and attempted to breach security cordons. Police responded with water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition, leading to fatal casualties.
Death toll rises to 19
According to hospital officials, 17 of the 19 fatalities occurred in hospitals across the Kathmandu Valley, with eight deaths reported at the National Trauma Centre, three at Everest Hospital, three at Civil Hospital, two at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC), and one at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. The remaining two deaths were reported in Sunsari District, where protesters were shot during demonstrations in Itahari — one succumbed to injuries at the scene outside the Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City Office, while the other later died after being admitted to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.
Hospitals overwhelmed by influx of injured
At least 347 people have been hospitalized across the country, overwhelming major medical facilities as they struggle to cope with the influx of injured protesters. Everest Hospital reported 102 injured, including four in critical condition, while Civil Hospital admitted 100 casualties. The National Trauma Centre treated 59 injured, with 10 suffering critical gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Kathmandu Medical College received 37 injured, and other hospitals—including Bir, Patan, Norvic, BP Koirala, Gandaki, Birat, and Damak – reported between one and seven cases each, underscoring the widespread impact of the violence.
Dr Dipendra Pandey of the Trauma Centre confirmed that 10 patients remain in critical condition, while Dr. Anil Adhikari at Everest Hospital said four are fighting for their lives.
Protests spread nationwide
In Jhapa, demonstrators hurled stones at the residence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Damak. Police fired multiple rounds into the air to disperse the crowd. Protesters also blocked sections of the East-West Highway by setting tyres ablaze, disrupting traffic across the southern belt.
In Pokhara and Bharatpur, parallel rallies turned confrontational as police used force to break up gatherings. Similar scenes were reported in Biratnagar, Janakpur, and Hetauda.
Rights body calls for restraint
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a statement urging both sides to exercise restraint, emphasizing that the right to peaceful assembly is protected under the constitution and international law. The commission described the descent into violence — including vandalism by some protesters and the use of live fire by police — as “regrettable” and called for an impartial investigation into the killings.
Youth movement against 'failed politics'
The nationwide movement, largely driven by Gen Z and university students, reflects growing frustration with what demonstrators call a "failed political system" marked by corruption, unemployment, and suppression of free speech. The government’s indefinite ban on major social media platforms, imposed weeks ago citing "national security," has further inflamed public anger.
With internet access still restricted in many areas, protesters have relied on encrypted messaging and word-of-mouth to mobilise — turning the demonstrations into a symbol of digital resistance.
Curfews and security tightened
In response, authorities have imposed curfews in multiple districts, banned public gatherings, and deployed security forces across major urban centres. Armoured vehicles and riot police remain on high alert in Kathmandu, while mobile data services continue to be throttled.
As hospitals treat the wounded and families mourn the dead, the nation faces a moment of reckoning — between a youth demanding change and a state struggling to contain the storm.
Source: Kathmandu Post