Anti-corruption protesters in Nepal defy curfew; India urges restraint amid unrest

Anti-corruption demonstrators in Nepal defied an indefinite curfew on Tuesday, a day after 19 people were killed and over 100 injured in violent protests sparked by a social media ban. Even after the government lifted the ban following an emergency cabinet meeting late Monday, protesters continued to shout slogans calling for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation.

Amid the unrest, India has advised its citizens residing in the country to “exercise caution and adhere to the steps and guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was “closely monitoring the developments in Nepal.”

Offering condolences, the ministry said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased. We also wish a speedy recovery for those who were injured.”

“As a close friend and neighbour, we hope all concerned will exercise restraint and address issues through peaceful means and dialogue,” the MEA added.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said he was saddened by the incidents of violence, which he attributed to “infiltration from different selfish centres.”

The government would provide relief for the families of the deceased and free treatment for those injured, he added.

“An investigation panel will be set up to find out the causes, assess losses, and suggest measures within 15 days to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future,” Oli said in a late-night statement on Monday.

Organisers of the protests, which have spread to other cities in the Himalayan country, have called them “demonstrations by Gen Z.” They say the protests reflect young people’s widespread frustration with the government’s perceived lack of action to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities.

Officials said the social media shutdown targeted platforms that had failed to register with the government amid a crackdown on fake IDs, misinformation, and hate speech.