Kathmandu, Sept 8: Youths have staged protests in front of the Federal Parliament building in Baneshwor against the government’s decision to shut down social media.
A curfew order has been imposed in different parts of Kathmandu, including around of Federal Parliament. On Monday, curfew was enforced in the Baneshwor area from 12:30 pm until 10:00 pm. However, even after the order came into effect, demonstrations did not stop. Defying the curfew, the youths have continued their protest.
When police tried to disperse some protesters, demonstrations also spread toward the road from Thapagaun leading to Singha Durbar. The protesters, who initially tried to demonstrate peacefully, repeatedly attempted to enter the Parliament premises in Baneshwor. In response, police fired dozens of rounds of tear gas and carried out light baton charges.
One protester died
According to Civil Hospital sources, one of the protesters have died with bullet injury. The identification is not yet confirmed.
One angry group of youths climbed onto the roof of a small security post at the main gate of the International Convention Center in Baneshwor, waving the national flag and calling on others to enter the Parliament compound.
When police attempted to remove them by force, demonstrators moved toward Gate No. 2, the gate used by lawmakers. As they tried to storm in, police responded with repeated use of force, including firing into the air to drive them away.
Protesters also climbed onto a security post near Baneshwor Chowk and hoisted the national flag. As more youths attempted to climb, police stationed inside the Parliament complex again used force against them. This led to brief clashes, with stones and water bottles thrown between protesters and security forces.
Among the protesters were school and college students in uniforms, carrying backpacks. Many carried water bottles, while some waved the national flag. Some teenagers were lifted onto shoulders and paraded with the flag during the protest.
Whenever someone attempted to breach the Parliament walls or security barriers, surrounding protesters cheered them on with loud chants. At around 12:30 pm, as a small group of police advanced to baton-charge those at a security post, other protesters encircled the officers. A more restrained group of demonstrators eventually blocked them, forcing the police to withdraw.
Baneshwor Chowk and surrounding roads were crowded with protesters. Security personnel in front of the Parliament’s main gate repeatedly fired tear gas.
The protests, led primarily by Generation Z youths, were not only against the ban on social media but also against widespread corruption, misgovernance, and the lavish lifestyles of political leaders and their children.
Three photographers sustain bullet injury
According to reports, three photojournalists have sustained bullet injury during protest in Baneshwor. Shyam Shrestha from Kantipur Daily, Dipendra Dhungana and Umesh Karki have become injured and receiving treatment at hospitals. #kathmandu #protest #GenZ
