Clashes In Kathmandu Leave 14 Dead As Youth Rally Against Corruption And Social Media Restrictions

Kathmandu, Nepal – At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured after confrontations erupted between youth protesters and security personnel in Kathmandu on Monday, September 8, 2025. The demonstrations, primarily led by students and young adults, were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with corruption and a government ban on multiple social media platforms.

The protest began at 9am local time in Maitighar, a central district in Kathmandu known for its busy intersections and the iconic Maitighar Mandala monument. Eyewitnesses reported large crowds of school and university students, many in uniform, marching peacefully before groups of agitators on motorcycles disrupted the gathering and broke through barricades, entering the Parliament premises.

The government had recently blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and YouTube, citing non-compliance with registration requirements. The abrupt restriction angered youth activists, many of whom use these platforms to communicate with relatives abroad.

Protests were organized by the nonprofit group Hami Nepal, which has advocated for youth rights since 2015. Demonstrators demanded fairness, transparency, and accountability in governance, expressing frustration over persistent corruption cases, including a 2017 Airbus deal that cost the national exchequer $10.4 million.

Authorities imposed curfews in key areas, including New Baneshwor, and deployed tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters. Hospitals reported multiple casualties, with several individuals in critical condition due to gunshot wounds.

Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli criticized the organizers prior to the protest, questioning the independence and critical thinking of youth participants. Despite the heavy-handed response, protesters continued to call for systemic reforms and respect for civil liberties.