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Protests against Nepal's social-media ban grow more violent as demonstrators set buildings on fire - AP News

Lau Chi Fung

— 2 min read

Nepal's Social Media Ban Sparks Widespread Protests and Violence

The situation in Nepal took a turn for the worse on Tuesday, as protests against the country's short-lived ban on social media escalated into violent clashes with government buildings, politicians' homes, and innocent bystanders. The unrest has left many wondering about the motivations behind the ban and the government's response to the growing discontent.

Background: The Ban and Its Backlash

In an effort to curb the spread of misinformation and promote national unity, Nepal's government imposed a ban on social media platforms in June 2022. However, the move was widely criticized by opposition parties, civil society groups, and internet users, who saw it as an overreach of authority and a threat to press freedom.

Despite the initial outcry, the ban seemed to have a limited impact, with many Nepalis continuing to use social media platforms to express their views and share information. On Tuesday, however, protesters took to the streets in greater numbers than ever before, demanding an end to the ban and calling for greater accountability from the government.

Violence Erupts in Kathmandu

The protests turned violent as demonstrators set fire to government buildings, including the Ministry of Information and Communications, which was responsible for enforcing the social media ban. The flames also engulfed several politicians' homes, with some reports suggesting that opposition leaders were among those targeted.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction, with protesters hurling stones and molotov cocktails at police stations and government buildings. The violence continued throughout the day, with many reporting instances of physical attacks on innocent bystanders.

Government Response

The Nepalese government responded to the violence by deploying additional troops to the capital city and imposing a curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. However, the measures seemed inadequate in the face of growing unrest, with many protesters calling for more decisive action.

In a statement, the Prime Minister's office acknowledged the situation and urged calm, but made no mention of lifting the social media ban or addressing the underlying grievances that had led to the protests.

Civil Society Reaction

Civil society groups and human rights organizations expressed alarm at the government's handling of the crisis. "The use of violence by protesters is regrettable, but the government's response has been heavy-handed and inadequate," said a spokesperson for the Nepalese Human Rights Commission.

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Afidah) also condemned the violence, calling on the government to "engage in constructive dialogue" with protesters and address their concerns through democratic means.

International Concerns

The international community began to take notice of Nepal's protests, with many countries expressing concern about the situation. The United States Embassy in Kathmandu issued a statement urging calm and calling for an end to violence.

The European Union also expressed its concern, stating that "the use of violence is not an acceptable solution to address grievances."

What's Next?

As the situation in Nepal continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing unrest. Will they lift the social media ban and engage in constructive dialogue with protesters, or will they continue to adopt a heavy-handed approach?

One thing is certain: the protests have highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability from the government, as well as a more inclusive and participatory democratic process.

Key Takeaways

  • Protests against Nepal's short-lived ban on social media grew increasingly violent on Tuesday.
  • Demonstrators set government buildings and politicians' homes on fire and attacked police stations.
  • The government responded by deploying additional troops and imposing a curfew.
  • Civil society groups and human rights organizations have expressed concern about the situation.
  • International concerns are growing, with many countries calling for an end to violence.

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