Protests in Nepal over a since-lifted ban on major social media platforms have left almost 20 people dead and now toppled the country’s leader.
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced Tuesday that he would step down as the country was rocked by a second day of unrest amid protests over a since-repealed ban on many major social media platforms. Clashes between young demonstrators and police on Monday turned violent, with police reportedly killing 19 people.
Protesters in Nepal’s capital defied a curfew on Tuesday to continue venting their rage at the government a day after the deadly crackdown.
The protests, which began on Monday with demands that the government lift a ban on social media and tackle corruption, reignited despite the apps being allowed to go back online.
Kathmandu police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said several groups had refused to obey a curfew on Tuesday, telling AFP there were protesters in the streets in many areas including « cases of fire and attacks. »
Some targeted the properties of politicians and government buildings, according to an AFP photographer and local media reports. According to The Associated Press, the homes of the leader of the largest political party in the country, Nepali Congress, along with President Ram Chandra Poudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and leader of the Communist party of Nepal were among those set on fire. A private school owned by the foreign minister was also set on fire.
Prime Minister Oli, 73, had ordered a probe into the violence and on Tuesday said he would head all-party talks in a bid to bring about a « meaningful conclusion » to the violence.
