KATHMANDU, Sept 9: At least 20 people died during Monday’s Gen Z protest against corruption and the social media ban—likely the largest number of fatalities in a single-day protest in Nepal’s history.
The people’s movement that ended the monarchy in April 2006 saw 25 deaths over 19 days, while the 1990 People’s Movement claimed around 200 lives across the country in nearly two months.
The Gen Z protest on Monday began at 9 AM from Maitighar Mandala, with young demonstrators demanding the lifting of social media restrictions and highlighting widespread government corruption. The situation escalated when protesters marched toward the parliament building in Baneshwar.
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Police responded with brute force, including live ammunition, rubber bullets, water cannons, and baton charges, despite assurances from the Gen Z organizers to remain nonviolent. Over 250 people were reportedly injured during the clashes.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes. One wrote on Discord, “This is the most horrific sight I have ever seen. Police have entered Commerce Campus Road, firing indiscriminately. More than 10 rounds were fired in quick succession, and a boy fell—it is unclear if he is dead or injured.” Another reported that police fired bullets in every alley of Minbhawan and Baneshwar.
As violence intensified, the government imposed a curfew at midday. The protest organizers urged participants to return home, but many continued to demonstrate, and police struggled to regain control. While 19 deaths were reported in Kathmandu, two others were killed in Itahari, Sunsari as of 9 PM Monday.
Protesters targeted residences of prominent political figures outside Kathmandu. In Jhapa, a group attempted to set fire to Prime Minister KP Oli’s residence, but police intervened, said Jhapa Police Chief, Superintendent Rajan Limbu.
In Butwal, the residence of Nepali Congress leader Bal Krishna Khand was vandalized, with damage to the main gate and glass structures, according to Rupandehi Police Chief, Superintendent Pradeep Bahadur Chhetri. Stones were also hurled at the district and provincial offices of CPN-UML in Butwal, prompting the District Administrative Office to impose a curfew.
Monday’s events mark a tragic and unprecedented day in Nepal’s history, reflecting both the intensity of youth-led protests and the severe crackdown by authorities.
