Nepal Gen Z Protest News Highlights: PM Modi issues appeal for peace – ‘Heart-wrenching to see…’

Security has been stepped up in several districts of Uttar Pradesh that share their borders with Nepal following violent youth-led protests in the Himalayan nation.

In Balrampur, Superintendent of Police Vikas Kumar said security has been tightened along the border and intelligence agencies instructed to maintain strict surveillance.

“Drone monitoring is being carried out and additional forces deployed at all police stations adjoining the border,” he said.

In Bahraich, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has stepped up patrolling and increased checks along not just highways but also village tracks and forest routes connecting India and Nepal.

“While only sporadic protests were reported near Nepalgunj, we have strengthened vigilance on our side. Patrolling has been intensified and monitoring devices like face-recognition systems and automatic number plate readers are being closely used,” said Ganga Singh Udawat, Commandant of SSB’s 42nd battalion.

Local residents said the sudden restrictions in Nepal have created panic.

(via PTI)

The Rastriya Swantantra Party has called for the immediate resignation of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. They also sought a fresh mandate for the country.

Curfew has been imposed across major cities and all schools and collges are set to remain closed for the next two days. According to reports, all exams scheduled across Nepal on September 9,10, 11 have been postponed.

Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has reportedly resigned — taking moral responsibility for the protests and bloodshed. According to an India Today update, he submitted his papers during the Cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

There have been growing calls for the ouster of Lekhak and Oli — with many including Opposition politicians insisting that it was needed to restore stability and address the escalating unrest.

According to unverified reports, Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has offered to resign amid growing outrage. He is reportedly taking moral responsibility for the death of approximately 20 student protesters during today’s violent clashes. According to an India Today update, Lekhak made the offer during a meeting of Nepali Congress office bearers.

Opposition leaders as well as Nepali citizens have issued multiple calls for his resignation as the violent demonstrations unfolded on Monday. Others have also sought the ouster of Prime Minister KP Oli.

At least 19 protestors were killed on Monday as security forces opened fire on protestors across various districts of Nepal — marking the highest death toll since the 2006 movement to overthrow King Gyanendra. A total of 18 people had died in weeks of protests that ultimately ended the centuries-long monarchy in Nepal, paving the way for the Himalayan nation to become a democratic republic.

According to a report by The Himalayan Times, more than 200 people have been injured across Nepal. The number of injured remains uncertain due to the overwhelming volume of cases, which include protesters, security personnel, and journalists. Hospitals such as Trauma Center and Civil Hospital are reportedly struggling to accommodate patients and have begun referring cases to other facilities.

Authorities have issued an alert along the India-Nepal border in view of ongoing protests in Nepal, top sources said.

India’s border guarding force, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), has intensified vigilance and is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any spillover of unrest into Indian territory.

“An alert has been issued on the India-Nepal border, considering a protest in Nepal. Sashastra Seema Bal is keeping a close watch on the development,” officials told ANI.

The officials emphasised that the current alert is “preventive in nature”, and the situation remains under control.

According to a report by The Kathmandu Post, at leastr 19 people have died across various cities in Nepal following clashes on Monday. The police had opened fire on the GenZ-led protesters in Kathmandu as a peaceful protest against corruption and a recent social media ban escalated sharply. Two protesters shot during demonstrations in Itahari have also succumbed to their injuries.

According to reports, auhorities in Nepal have issued a rare shoot-at-sight order amid escalating protests.

According to a Republica report, the main opposition party has demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. CPN (Maoist Centre) alleged that the government has resorted to excessive force against protesters. The message came after senior party leaders held an informal meeting on Monday. They concluded that PM Oli must step down to restore stability and address the escalating unrest.

A government decision to block access to several social media platforms, including Facebook, last week has fuelled anger among the young. About 90% of Nepal’s 30 million people use the internet.

Officials said they imposed the ban because platforms had failed to register with authorities in a crackdown on misuse, including fake social media accounts used to spread hate speech and fake news, and commit fraud.

Multiple cities across Nepal ramped up security measures as the ‘Gen Z’ protest escalated on Monday. According to The Himalayan Times, Sundari District Administration has issued an ‘indefinite curfew’ order for the Itahari sub-metropolitan city. It went into effect from 3:30 pm on Monday following the clash in Kathmandu. The curfew prohibits movement, gatherings, demonstrations, assemblies, and processions within the area.

According to Nepali newspaper República, one person was injured in police firing after demonstrations began in Kaski. The protesters in Pokhara had begun chanting slogans and calling for the resignation of topofficialss after the death of multiple people in Kathmandu. They have sought the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

Public anger reached a tipping point after the UML-NC coalition led by Prime Minister K P Oli announced a sweeping ban on major social media platforms earlier this year — citing tax revenue, cyber security, and lack of content moderation.

Young Nepalis have also raised several other issues through social media platforms — posing questions such as: ‘Where does our tax money actually go?’ or ‘Why does the budget vanish into thin air?’

According to The Himalayan Times, the deceased include six at Trauma Center, three at Civil Hospital, three at Everest Hospital, one at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC), and one at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

The number of injured remains uncertain due to the high volume of cases. Hospitals, including Civil Hospital and Trauma Center, are reportedly struggling to accommodate patients and have begun referring them to other facilities, The Himalayan Times reported. Authorities added that the identities of the deceased and many injured are yet to be confirmed.

According to a report by The Kathmandu Post, the demonstration has drawn support from several prominent artists and entertainers. Actors Madan Krishna Shreshtha and Hari Bansha Acharya reportedly took to Facebook highlighting various issues and applauding GenZ for ‘asking questions’.

According to Nepali newspaper República, hundreds of people have been injured and some are in critical condition. The exact number has not been made public but reports suggest that hospitals in the area have been overcrowded by the injured people.

At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured on Monday as violent protests by youths rocked the Nepalese capital and certain other areas over the government’s decision to ban social media sites, prompting authorities to deploy the army in Kathmandu to control the situation. Thousands of youths, including school students, under the banner of Gen Z, converged in front of the Parliament in the heart of Kathmandu and shouted anti-government slogans demanding immediate revocation of the ban.

Riot police use water cannon on protesters during clashes outside parliament building in Kathmandu (AP Photo)

According to state TV reports, the death toll has now risen to 14. The police in Kathmandu had opened fire on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media earlier in the day — leaving over a dozen dead and countless others injured. Local media reports indicate that the wounded are now being treated at half a dozen hospitals across Kathmandu.

Government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung has reportedly said that discussions are underway to reconsider the social media ban. According to a BBC Nepali report, the matter will be discussed during a cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday.

“The government’s decisions are not more important than the lives of the people. The lives of our people are the most important thing. If the decisions made by the government need to be reconsidered in terms of policy, there is no point in us remaining steadfast again,” Gurung told the publication.

He is also the Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office imposed a curfew in parts of Baneshwar after protesters broke into a restricted area. The local administration extended the curfew areas, which include the President’s residence, Shital Niwas area, Maharajgunj, the vice-president’s residence in Lainchaur, all sides of Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and surrounding areas.

Authorities have said the extension is intended to prevent further unrest and ensure security in sensitive government locations.

The curfew order was issued by Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal under Section 6 of the Local Administration Act. It will remain in effect from 12:30 pm to 10 pm. Movement, gatherings, demonstrations, or encirclements within these zones are strictly prohibited.

According to a BBC Nepali update, curfew has now been imposed in the city of Pokhara. The local administration of Kaski has reportedly issued the order for some places in Pokhara — some 200 kilometers away from Kathmandu.

A government spokesperson confirmed that the Nepal Army has also been deployed in parts of the capital city for law enforcement.

Nepali newspaper República reported that an ambulance was torched in the New Baneshwor area as protests turned violent on Monday.

“Our movement had around 20 to 25 groups, and the plan was to march only up to Everest Hotel. Those who went beyond that point are not recognized by us. We have already asked students present there to return,” organizer Ujen Raj Bhandari told Nepali newspaper República.

“Please exit safely as soon as possible. Several vested groups are inciting the crowd. Our day has already been a success. Please go home safely today,” Gen Z Nepal added in its statement.

The protests come in the wake of the Nepal government’s decision to ban 26 unregistered social media platforms — including widely used apps such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat. The move has sparked public outrage, especially among young people, who accuse the government of stifling free expression while failing to address deep-seated corruption.

The agitation on Monday began as a peaceful march before escalating as protesters broke through barricades and entered restricted zones near Parliament. Police responded with water cannons, teargas, and rubber bullets after demonstrators threw tree branches and water bottles and shouted anti-government slogans, with some protesters reportedly managing to enter the Parliament compound, intensifying the situation.

“A while ago, the police fired bullets which did not hit me but hit a friend of mine standing behind me. He was shot in the hand. The firing is still going on and we can hear gunfire from inside the parliament as well. My friend, who was standing on the road, was shot in the head. The police are firing indiscriminately, aiming above the knees. Are they allowed to do this?” a protester told ANI.