Nepal lifts social media ban: PM KP Oli blames ‘ambiguity’ for GenZ protest that claimed 18 lives – Key points – The Times of India

Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli reacted to the GenZ protests that shook Nepal on Monday, blaming “ambiguity between the thinking” of the generation. He further described the demonstrations as an “unpleasant situation,” leaving several dead and causing widespread destruction of state property.“The lack of sufficient information regarding our efforts to register and register social media in a systematic manner as per the state law and court order, and some ambiguity between the thinking of our Gen-Z generation, has created the current situation,” he said.He claimed that the government was not in favour of “stopping” the use of social media and that, there “was no need to keep demonstrating for this”, after the country lifted ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, X among others.“The lack of sufficient information regarding our efforts to register and register social media in a systematic manner as per the state law and court order, and some ambiguity between the thinking of our Gen-Z generation, has created the current situation. The government was not in favor of stopping the use of social media and will ensure an environment for its use. There was no need to keep demonstrating for this. And, the situation that has to continue will not be allowed to continue,” Oli said in a statement.Here’re top developments into thestory:

Demonstrations resume

The protestors took to streets on Tuesday again even after Nepal government lifted social media ban. Moreover, Nepal government updated its toll saying that 18 people died and 250 got injured during the protests on Monday, ANI reported.

Protests to be probed, report in 15 days

Expressing condolences over the death of several people during the protests, Nepal PM assured that the incident would be probed and the report would be submitted in 15 days.“I would like to assure you that an investigation committee will be formed to investigate and analyze today’s entire incident and the damage, its condition and causes, and submit a report within 15 days to recommend steps to be taken to prevent such accidents in the future,” he said.“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives during today’s demonstration. I express my deepest condolences to the families and relatives of those who lost their family members in this unthinkable incident. The government will provide appropriate relief to the families of the deceased and free treatment to the injured,” he added.

‘PM won’t resign’

Nepal communications minister Prithivi Subba Gurung ensured that PM Oli wouldn’t resign as the government went on to defend the ban.“The Prime Minister will not resign now,” he said.The Gen-Z Nepal protests turned deadly when security forces opened fire as demonstrators attempted to storm parliament. Police unleashed live rounds indiscriminately on the crowd before resorting to tear gas.In the aftermath, the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint statement expressing deep sorrow over the violence that engulfed Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal.

Nepal lifts social media ban

The government of Nepal lifted the social media ban following protests, in which 18 demonstrators were killed while demanding anti-corruption measures and an end to the blackout.At an emergency meeting on Monday evening, the cabinet decided to lift the social media ban imposed since September 4, which the government had justified by accusing platforms of failing to comply with Nepal’s registration requirements.Protesters, many of them college and school students, voiced broader frustrations over dwindling economic opportunities and entrenched corruption.