Nepal police shoot and kill at least 17 people protesting a social media ban [View all]

Source: AP

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
Updated 8:33 AM CDT, September 8, 2025

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Police in Kathmandu opened fire Monday on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, killing at least 17 people and wounding 145, officials said.

The death toll was announced by police official Shekhar Khanal. He said that 28 police officers were among the wounded, as smaller protests continued into late Monday evening.

Rallies swept the streets of Kathmandu around the Parliament building, which was surrounded by tens of thousands of people angry over the decision by authorities to block most social media platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube. Officials said the companies had failed to register and submit to government oversight.

Protesters pushed through barbed wire and forced riot police to retreat inside the Parliament complex. Police eventually opened fire at the protesters.



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