"Seventeen fatalities follow youth-led demonstrations on social media platforms in Nepal, sparked by the government's social media restrictions"

In the heart of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, tensions ran high as thousands of young demonstrators took to the streets on Monday. Billed as "demonstrations of Gen Z," these protests were a call for wider political change, not just the lifting of the social media ban that has been in place since Friday.

The protests were sparked by the government's decision to restrict access to various online platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. For many Nepalese, these sites are a crucial source of entertainment, news, and business. Instagram, with its millions of users, has been particularly hard-hit.

The demonstrations reached a climax when some protesters attempted to storm a restricted area near parliament. Sirens rang through the city as the injured were taken to the hospital. Regrettably, at least 17 lives have been lost, and over 400 people, including dozens of police, have been injured during the protests.

Iman Magar, a 20-year-old protester, was one of those injured. He lost part of his hand from a metallic bullet. Reports suggest that live ammunition was used against protesters, a claim supported by Amnesty International.

The anger poured out online, not just on the restricted platforms, but on those still operational, such as TikTok. Videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive holidays have gone viral on the platform.

The government's actions have been met with international condemnation. The UN has called for an investigation into the killings and injuries of protesters, while local authorities imposed a curfew in several key areas, including the parliament and the President's residence.

The root of the unrest lies in the perceived institutionalized corruption in Nepal. Yujan Rajbhandari, a 24-year-old student, stated that the protests are also against this corruption. Over the past few years, several corruption cases involving ministers, former ministers, and high-profile officials have been reported.

It is unclear, however, whether the current government is directly involved in these corruption cases or the decision to restrict social media access. The provided data does not contain specific details about Nepal’s government or corruption cases related to social media restrictions.

In July, the government also blocked access to the Telegram messaging app, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering. Despite these challenges, the spirit of the Nepalese people remains undeterred, as they continue to demand change and the restoration of their digital rights.