Kathmandu [Nepal], September 9 (ANI): Nepal witnessed its bloodiest day in nearly 20 years on Monday, as nationwide protests against corruption and a sweeping social media ban left at least 19 people dead and forced the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The fatalities—17 in Kathmandu and two in Sunsari district—mark the highest single-day toll since the 2006 pro-democracy movement that toppled King Gyanendra and ended the monarchy.
The unrest began early Monday when thousands of youths gathered at Maitighar in Kathmandu to denounce rampant corruption and the government’s ban on 26 unregistered social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat. Online outrage had been mounting in recent days, with hashtags like #NepoKid and #NepoBabies trending widely.
Protests turned violent when demonstrators attempted to storm the Parliament building and set its entrance on fire. Security forces, taking cover inside, responded with water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with students in school uniforms among those shot, ambulances overwhelmed, and hospitals running out of resources.
Amid the bloodshed, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down, submitting his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during an emergency cabinet meeting. “The Home Minister had made it clear in the Nepali Congress meeting that he would resign on moral grounds. He tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister during the cabinet meeting this evening,” a senior source told ANI.
The cabinet also formed an investigation committee to probe the causes of the violence and the state’s response, tasking it with submitting a report within 15 days. Terms of Reference (TOR) have already been finalized.
To contain further unrest, curfews were imposed across several districts. In Kathmandu and Sunsari, restrictions were enforced around major protest sites. In Rupandehi, the administration announced curfews in Butwal and Bhairahawa from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., covering wide zones and banning gatherings, rallies, meetings, and sit-ins. Similar restrictions were enforced in Sunsari’s Itahari city from 3:30 p.m. until further notice, prohibiting assemblies around its main square.
The violence drew international concern. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, expressed “deep sorrow” over the loss of life and extended condolences to victims’ families. In a Facebook post, she urged all sides to exercise “maximum restraint and vigilance” and called on the government to safeguard citizens’ rights to peaceful protest.
Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) condemned the “regrettable” use of excessive force, emphasizing that both the Constitution and international law guarantee peaceful dissent. It urged the government to compensate victims’ families, provide free treatment to the injured, and hold accountable those responsible for the violence. At the same time, it called on protestors to maintain discipline to avoid further escalation.
Monday’s tragedy highlights Nepal’s mounting tensions over corruption, governance, and civil liberties—underscoring the urgent need for dialogue and restraint to prevent further bloodshed. (ANI)
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