Witnesses also said that protesters were setting fire to the homes of some politicians in Kathmandu, and local media reported that some ministers were plucked to safety by military helicopters.

Reuters could not immediately verify the information.

MAIN AIRPORT SHUT

Kathmandu airport, Nepal’s main international gateway, was closed with immediate effect as smoke from fires nearby set by protesters could endanger the safety of aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said.

“We are still standing here for our future … We want this country corruption-free so that everyone can easily access education, hospitals, medical (facilities) … and for a bright future,” protester Robin Sreshtha told Reuters TV.

Organisers of the protests, which spread to other cities in the Himalayan country, have called them “demonstrations by Gen Z”, driven by young people’s widespread frustration with the government’s perceived lack of action to tackle corruption and boost economic opportunities.

“The protest was intended, first and foremost, against the rampant corruption in government,” a protester said in an email to Reuters, signing off as ‘A concerned Nepali citizen’.

Young Nepalis had been putting out social media posts about the “luxurious lives of the families and children of corrupt politicians and civil servants” and the government responded by clamping down on social media platforms, the email said.

Neighbour India, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Nepali migrant workers, said it hoped that all concerned will exercise restraint and resolve issues through talks.

A joint statement by the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, UK, Norway, Germany, and the U.S. in Nepal urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalation and ensure fundamental rights are protected.

Last week, Oli’s government imposed a social media ban blocking access to several online platforms after it said the platforms had failed to register themselves with the government.

Critics said it was an attempt to throttle free speech, a charge the government denies, citing misuse of social media to spread disinformation and commit fraud, among other concerns.

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The protests, which began shortly after the ban was implemented last week, escalated quickly as demonstrators clashed with security forces in several major cities, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Biratnagar. The unrest has raised serious concerns about freedom of expression, government overreach, and the country’s fragile political stability.

Nepal’s Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, addressed the media following the emergency meeting. Expressing sorrow over the loss of life and the injuries sustained, Gurung offered a public apology and announced an immediate reversal of the ban.

“We deeply regret the violence that has unfolded over the past few days. Our intention was never to harm the people but to protect the nation from the spread of harmful and misleading content,” Gurung stated. “Effective immediately, access to social media platforms will be restored.”

The minister defended the government’s initial decision, citing concerns over misinformation, disinformation, and online incitement as primary reasons for the ban. Gurung emphasized the government’s responsibility to safeguard the moral and cultural values of Nepal, particularly amid rising instances of digital manipulation and online abuse.

However, the ban had far-reaching consequences, especially for young entrepreneurs, influencers, content creators, and small businesses that rely heavily on social media platforms for income and outreach. Many of these individuals had expressed outrage and frustration over the sudden move, which disrupted their livelihoods and daily communication.

“Social media is not just entertainment anymore — it’s an essential tool for education, business, and personal expression,” said Anil Thapa, a digital marketer based in Kathmandu. “Blocking it was like shutting down the economy for thousands of people.”

International human rights organizations and local advocacy groups had also condemned the ban, calling it an infringement on digital rights and freedom of expression.

While the government has now lifted the restrictions, many fear that this may not be the last attempt to control online activity in the country. Civil society groups are calling for clearer regulations and public consultation before any future digital policies are enacted.

The government has promised to launch an independent inquiry into the events that led to the fatalities and injuries during the protests and has urged citizens to exercise restraint and avoid spreading rumors as tensions begin to ease.

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