** Security situation out of hand !!
*** Internal pressure mounts including from Army !!!
Nepali Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was beaten by protesters.
IndiGo has issued a travel advisory announcing the suspension of all flights to and from Kathmandu after authorities closed the airport due to the ongoing unrest in the city. "If your travel is impacted, you may conveniently opt for an alternate flight or claim a refund by visiting our website. We are closely monitoring the developments and coordinating with local authorities to resume operations at the earliest," the airline said in a statement.
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Oli resigned on Monday, officials confirmed, stepping down amid mounting pressure after one of the deadliest crackdowns in years left at least 19 people dead and reignited nationwide protests.
His departure is expected to spark intense political negotiations as parties scramble to form a new government.
The resignation comes against the backdrop of angry demonstrations led largely by young Nepalis. Defying a curfew on Tuesday, protesters returned to the streets to vent frustration over corruption, unemployment, and a controversial ban on social media platforms that had cut access to Facebook, YouTube and X before being lifted.
At least 20 people were killed (and possibly many more) in clashes in Kathmandu on Monday.
Two more deaths reported in Sunsari district.
Hundreds were injured, including more than 100 police. Amnesty International said live ammunition had been fired at demonstrators, while the United Nations has demanded a swift and transparent probe.
Despite government attempts at conciliation, including restoring access to social media and announcing all-party talks, anger has continued to boil over. Some protesters targeted government buildings and properties belonging to politicians, while others accused security forces of “murdering” civilians.
“Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state — that shows the scale of police brutality,” said 23-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari, who joined Monday’s demonstrations.
With people aged 15 to 40 making up nearly 43 percent of Nepal’s population, analysts say the protests reflect a generational outcry against corruption, inequality and lack of opportunity.
Organizers say the protests, which spread across the country, were not only about the moves against the social media platforms, but were also a reflection of generational frustration at poor economic opportunities and anger at widespread corruption.
“This isn’t just about social media — it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent,” the Kathmandu Post wrote in an editorial.
In Kathmandu protesters barged into the parliament complex on Monday, breaking through a barricade and setting fire to an ambulance. Police used water cannon, batons and rubber bullets to control the crowd, while the army was deployed and a curfew imposed in the capital. Protests also spread to smaller cities across the country, which saw similar clashes with police.
In a statement, Oli blamed “infiltration by various vested interest groups” for the violence, without elaborating who the groups were.
Perceptions of government corruption are widespread in Nepal. Oli’s government has been heavily criticized for failing to crack down on the problem.
All flights at Tribhuvan International Airport have been cancelled today due to unprecedented and serious circumstances and security concerns. The airport authority apologised for the inconvenience.
International flights have been halted since 12:45 pm following a billow of smoke near Koteshwar, said Hansa Raj Pandey, general manager at TIA. “The airport is not closed. We won’t close it either,” he added.
Crew members have been unable to reach the airport due to problems in movements, preventing flights from taking off. Domestic airlines, including Buddha Air, have suspended all flights citing security reasons.
Why did the Oli Govt ban social media platforms like Facebook?
The government required all platforms to register within seven days under the Social Media Directives 2080. The decision followed a Supreme Court order mandating registration before operation in Nepal. As most global platforms ignored repeated notices, the government decided to ban them.
Since November 2023, the government has issued five public notices and written directly to major platforms. Minister for Information and Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung said Meta and others ignored even repeated reminders and extensions. The final seven-day deadline issued on August 28 expired on Thursday.
Which platforms are still accessible?
Seven apps can currently operate in Nepal:
TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live are already registered, while Telegram and Global Diary are under review. Thousands of other apps may be disabled.
Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Threads, YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, Signal, Clubhouse and Rumble face restrictions.
There is still confusion over whether WhatsApp and Gmail will be affected, as officials debated if they fall under social media.
How will the ban affect creators and the economy?
Facebook had just launched a monetisation programme in Nepal, allowing creators to earn directly through reels, posts and videos. The ban halts these earnings, affecting digital income and the wider economy.
Past bans suggest users may turn to VPNs and OpenDNS, which could increase international bandwidth costs and cut into the revenue of local internet providers.
When TikTok was banned earlier, Ncell reportedly lost nearly Rs 600 million of monthly revenues.
Rights groups are expected to raise concerns over freedom of expression in the wake of this broader ban.
ends
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