Nepal's prime minister resigns after 19 killed by police in protests over social media ban

Nepal's prime minister resigned on Tuesday after 19 people were killed by police in protests over the country's social media ban.

Young people led protests on Monday over Nepal blocking several social media sites, which resulted in police firing into the crowds and killing 19 people, according to the Associated Press. While the social media ban was lifted Tuesday, protests continued over the deaths of the protesters, with demonstrators setting fire to the homes of some of Nepal’s top leaders and the parliament building.

Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli said he was stepping down immediately as the protests intensified. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak had already resigned.

Before resigning, Oli said that he would create an investigating committee that would submit a report on the shooting in 15 days. He also said that the families of those who were killed would receive compensation and the wounded would get free treatment.

The country's government had blocked social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, saying that they hadn't registered and submitted to government oversight.

Many young people protesting are also upset over political leaders' children enjoying luxurious lifestyles while most youth struggle to find work. Youth unemployment was at 20% last year, and the Nepalese government estimates that more than 2,000 young people leave the country every day to seek work in the Middle East or southeast Asia.

The Nepalese government is also attempting to regulate social media with a bill aimed at ensuring the platforms are “properly managed, responsible and accountable,” which has been criticized as a censorship tool. The bill would require about two dozen social media companies to appoint a liaison office or a point of contact in the country.