Police and security forces in Nepal have been accused of killing protesters, including children, during demonstrations led by Gen Z against government corruption. The protests, which began peacefully, have escalated into violent confrontations across Kathmandu and other cities.
Eyewitnesses report that demonstrators, mainly young people frustrated with corruption, unemployment, and inequality, faced tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. Rights groups have raised alarm over the deaths of minors, calling for urgent investigations.
“The protest was peaceful. We were asking for honesty and transparency. Instead, they fired on us,” said one organizer to local media.
The movement is largely driven by teenagers and university students, who have been organizing marches, sit-ins, and online campaigns. However, the government’s ongoing social media ban has hindered communication and visibility for the demonstrators.
Despite the severe human cost, international media coverage has mostly framed the unrest as a reaction to the social media blackout, downplaying the deeper grievances around corruption and governance. Analysts warn that this narrative risks obscuring the root causes of the protests.
Human rights organizations are demanding independent investigations into the killings and pressing the government to address the concerns of its young citizens. With public anger growing, observers say the next steps taken by authorities will be crucial in determining whether the unrest escalates or leads to meaningful reforms.
