The chants of students turned into screams in Nepal on Monday as police opened fire on unarmed protesters in Kathmandu, turning a simmering youth-led movement against corruption and censorship into the bloodiest confrontation the Himalayan republic has seen in years.
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By nightfall, at least 19 demonstrators had been killed by police gunfire, according to official figures, with more than 300 wounded across Kathmandu and other cities.
Many of the victims were students in uniform. Videos circulating on encrypted group chats show police chasing protesters through alleyways, beating them with batons and even firing on ambulances attempting to carry the injured from outside parliament. Human rights monitors described the use of lethal force as unlawful and disproportionate.
“We didn’t expect those in the government would attack unarmed young people, who are their grandchildren’s generation,” said Rachana*, a 26‑year‑old protester.
“Gen Z will take ownership of the peaceful protest, but the government has to take responsibility for the infiltration and casualties. The government and police have blood on their hands.”
The immediate trigger for the demonstrations was last week’s government ban on 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp, after the companies failed to register under new regulations.
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