Nepal Police Open Fire on Social Media Protesters, Killing At Least 17

Riot police in Nepal's capital of Kathmandu opened fire on Monday on demonstrators protesting a government attempt to regulate social media, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and wounding 145 more. The protests were sparked by a government bill aimed at regulating social media platforms, which critics say is a tool for censorship and punishment of government opponents who voice their protests online. The demonstrators pushed through barbed wire and forced riot police to retreat inside the Parliament complex, with tens of thousands of people surrounding the building.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 17 people were killed in the police firing, with 145 people wounded.
• The protests were sparked by a government bill aimed at regulating social media platforms, which critics say is a tool for censorship and punishment of government opponents.
• The bill seeks to ensure that social media platforms are "properly managed, responsible and accountable."
• About two dozen social networks that are widely used in Nepal were given notices to register their companies officially, and those that failed to register have been blocked since last week.
• Neither Google, Meta, nor Elon Musk's X platform responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
• The video-sharing app TikTok, Viber, and three other platforms have registered and operated without interruption.
• 28 police officers were among the wounded.

Statistics:

• At least 17 people were killed.
• 145 people were wounded.
• 28 police officers were among the wounded.
• Two dozen social networks were given notices to register their companies officially in Nepal.
• Those that failed to register have been blocked since last week.

Sources:

• The Associated Press (no date)
• Niranjan Shrestha/ The Associated Press (caption)