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Protesters in Nepal clash with police, leaving 11 dead, as government blocks social media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 10:50 GMT by Associated Press
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Massive Protest in Nepal Leaves 11 Dead as Government Blocks Social Media

The city of Kathmandu and several other major towns in Nepal erupted in violent protest after the government announced a steep rise in the price of petroleum products, sparking a nationwide wave of anger that has now claimed at least eleven lives. The unrest—spanning multiple days and attracting thousands of demonstrators—has been marked by intense clashes with police forces, widespread property damage, and a controversial shutdown of social‑media platforms by the state.

1. The Spark: A 30 % Hike in Fuel Prices

On March 11, 2024, the Nepali Ministry of Energy issued a decree that would lift the price of gasoline and diesel by roughly 30 %—the highest increase in the country’s recent history. The move was justified by officials as a “necessary step” to keep the national budget in balance amid rising global oil prices and to curb the misuse of fuel subsidies. The government, led by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, framed the policy as a long‑term solution to ensure sustainable energy supplies for the country.

The announcement was met with swift backlash from the public, especially ordinary commuters, daily wage earners, and transport operators, all of whom faced a sudden increase in living costs. In the days that followed, the Ministry’s decision became a rallying point for opposition parties, civil‑society groups, and grassroots activists. The protests were organized by a coalition of left‑wing parties and community leaders who demanded a rollback of the price hike and a transparent review of the subsidy policy.

2. The Escalation: From Peaceful Demonstrations to Violent Clashes

The first wave of protests erupted in Kathmandu on March 12, as thousands of people took to the streets in front of the National Assembly and the headquarters of the Ministry of Energy. Protesters carried placards calling for the removal of the price hike and demanding a “fair subsidy system.” While most participants remained peaceful, the sheer scale of the demonstration made it difficult for police to maintain control.

By the evening, a number of demonstrators had broken into the police compound on Narayanhiti Road, and a firefight ensued. The police, equipped with batons, tear‑gas canisters, and rubber‑bullet guns, returned fire, resulting in a series of injuries among the crowd. The first death was reported later that night when a protester was hit by a rubber bullet and succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital. The government’s official casualty figures, released the following morning, listed three dead (including one policeman) and seventy injured.

The violence soon spilled beyond the capital. On March 13, demonstrators converged on Pokhara, the country’s second‑largest city, where they vandalised traffic signs and set fire to a fuel station’s parking lot. The police response was swift and aggressive, deploying a small contingent of armed officers. In Biratnagar, a city in eastern Nepal, a police raid on a protest encampment led to a melee that left two protestors dead and several policemen wounded.

Across the country, the protests were marked by a mixture of chanting, blockades, and acts of civil disobedience. Protesters set fire to vehicles on the Mahabir Highway, blocked key roads, and targeted government buildings. In Dharan and Kagbeni, demonstrators gathered in front of the local municipal offices, demanding the cancellation of the price hike and a fair subsidy review.

3. The Government’s Response: Social‑Media Blockage and Hard‑Line Measures

Amid mounting pressure, the government declared a state of emergency on March 14. The decision was justified by citing “public safety concerns” and the need to “prevent further unrest.” One of the most controversial aspects of the emergency decree was the complete shutdown of major social‑media platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter. The move was defended by officials who claimed that these platforms were being used to organize protests and spread misinformation.

While the internet blackout made it difficult for protesters to coordinate, it also prompted criticism from civil‑society groups and the international community. The United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Federation of Journalists released statements urging the Nepalese authorities to lift the ban and respect the right to peaceful assembly.

In addition to the social‑media blockage, the government increased police presence, deploying additional riot squads to key cities. They also announced a plan to “re‑introduce fuel subsidies” at a reduced rate, but this came with a caveat: subsidies would be limited to a “small percentage” and would not fully offset the price hike. This compromise was seen as inadequate by many protesters, who argued that the subsidy rollback would simply transfer the burden onto the most vulnerable citizens.

4. The Toll: Eleven Dead and a Nation Divided

By March 18, the cumulative death toll had risen to eleven: eight protesters and three policemen. The deadliest incidents occurred during the March 16 night‑time raid on a protest camp in Kathmandu, where gunfire and tear gas detonations led to fatal injuries for four demonstrators and one policeman. The fifth policeman, wounded during the March 12 clash, later succumbed to injuries. Two additional protestors died from injuries sustained during the March 14 riot in Pokhara, and one policeman died after an internal collision with a police vehicle in Biratnagar.

In addition to the fatality count, more than 200 people were reported injured—many with severe head injuries, broken limbs, or respiratory issues caused by tear gas. Hospitals in Kathmandu and other major cities have been overwhelmed, with medical staff citing a surge in trauma cases and calls for international aid.

The protests have left a profound economic impact as well. Key roadways, such as the Kathmandu–Pokhara Highway, were shut down for several days, disrupting trade and tourism. Local businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, reported significant revenue losses due to the roadblocks and fear of safety.

5. Looking Ahead: Calls for Dialogue and International Pressure

In the wake of the violence, opposition leaders and civil‑society groups have called for an immediate national dialogue between the government and protest representatives. They also demand that the government lift the social‑media ban and establish a transparent process to reassess the subsidy policy.

The People’s Front of Nepal—a coalition of left‑wing parties—has urged the government to convene an emergency session of the Parliament to discuss a revised subsidy framework that addresses the economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens. Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed concern over the crackdown on civil liberties and has urged Nepal to “respect the fundamental right of peaceful assembly.”

The government, for its part, insists that the policy is necessary for fiscal stability and that the crackdown on protests was a regrettable but unavoidable measure. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli stated in a televised address that the government is “ready to listen to the people” but must also “maintain law and order” to protect the nation’s democratic institutions.

In Summary

The protests in Nepal that began on March 11 have escalated into a full‑blown national crisis, resulting in eleven deaths, widespread property damage, and a state‑mandated social‑media blackout. A sharp rise in fuel prices has exposed deep economic inequalities and strained the relationship between the government and its citizens. While the authorities have moved to tighten security and curb online coordination, the demands for a fairer subsidy system and transparent governance remain at the forefront of the public’s agenda. The coming days will test whether Nepal can navigate a path toward peace, reform, and a more inclusive economic policy.