Tensions in the capital reached a boiling point on Monday as the Kathmandu District Administration was forced to impose a curfew in the New Baneshwar area following violent clashes between a massive gathering of Gen Z protesters and police forces.
The unrest stems from a wave of youth-led demonstrations against two key issues: the government's recent decision to ban 26 unregistered social media platforms—including global giants like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat—and widespread public anger over rampant corruption within the state apparatus.
Thousands of young protesters took to the streets, voicing their dissent and demanding governmental accountability. The situation escalated rapidly when a segment of the demonstrators broke into a restricted area, prompting a forceful response from law enforcement. The ensuing clashes, involving projectiles from protesters and tear gas and water cannons from police, led to the decision to implement a strict curfew.
The Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Chhabilal Rijal, invoked Section 6 of the Local Administration Act to enforce the measure. The curfew is effective from 12:30 pm to 10 pm on Monday, covering a large and critical section of the city.
The designated curfew zone encompasses:
Westward: From New Baneshwar Chowk to the Everest Hotel and Bijulibazar Arch Bridge.
Eastward: From New Baneshwar Chowk via Min Bhawan and Shantinagar to Tinkune Chowk.
Northward: From New Baneshwar Chowk through Eyeplex Mall to Ratna Rajya Secondary School.
Southward: From New Baneshwar Chowk via Shankhamul to the Shankhamul Bridge.
The order mandates that all individuals within these boundaries must remain indoors for the duration of the curfew. Only security personnel and individuals involved in essential services are permitted to move within the restricted area.
This development highlights a significant moment of confrontation between Nepal's youth and the state. The protestors, largely organized through the very online platforms the government seeks to regulate, are challenging what they perceive as an attack on digital freedom and a symptom of deeper systemic corruption. The imposition of a curfew underscores the severity of the situation and the government's intent to restore order, though it also raises questions about the balance between state security and the right to peaceful assembly.
As the curfew remains in effect, the city holds its breath, waiting to see if this measure will quell the unrest or further inflame the frustrations of a generation demanding change.
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