NEPAL – At least 19 people were killed and dozens others injured in clashes between police and protesters during the social media ban protests in Nepal with protesters storming parliament. This prompted military deployment as protesters entered restricted zones.

Seven protesters brought to the National Trauma Centre died, while another 10 were in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the head and chest, according to a local hospital official Dr. Dipendra Pandey.

At least 123 people were injured, with hospitals being overcrowded.

Three protesters died at Everest Hospital, where more than 50 others are receiving treatment, with four in critical condition.

Another four were brought dead to different hospitals as the identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed.

Authorities imposed a curfew in the capital Kathmandu in the wake of the deadly protests.

The “Generation Z” protesters broke through police barricades. They climbed over parliament gates as security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, who had pledged earlier to remain peaceful, according to multiple news reports, and photos and footage shared online.

Protesters have been demonstrating in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Biratnagar, and other cities against alleged corruption and the ban on social media.

Last week, Nepal moved to block major social media platforms after they failed to register with the government.

The Communication and Information Technology Ministry issued the ban after giving the companies seven days from Aug. 28 to register with the government.

The platforms blocked include US company Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp along with YouTube, US social media company X, Reddit, and LinkedIn.

It said blocks would be lifted once the companies registered with the authorities.

Nepal’s main opposition party had criticized the decision.