India closely watching Nepal's current state, urges Indian citizens within Nepal to practice caution
In the heart of South Asia, Nepal has seen a significant turn of events following a series of protests against a government-imposed ban on 26 social media platforms. The ban, which affected major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and others, was enforced due to non-compliance with new registration requirements under Nepal's social media regulations.
The protests, led predominantly by young people, erupted in response to the ban, resulting in at least 19 deaths and hundreds of injuries on September 8. The Nepalese government has since revoked the ban, with Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung confirming the restoration of services.
Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives during the protests and announced relief payments for the families of the deceased, as well as free medical treatment for the injured. He also claimed that the government did not intend to ban social media sites, but to regulate them. Oli attributed the damage to public property during the protests to "infiltration by some unwanted elements in the peaceful demonstration."
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed condolences for the lives lost in the Nepal protests and urged all concerned parties to exercise restraint. The MEA also advised Indian nationals in Nepal to exercise caution and follow guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities. The MEA's statement included wishes for speedy recoveries for those injured in the protests.
In response to the protests, the Nepalese government has announced that a probe committee will be formed to investigate the events of the protests, with the committee expected to submit its report within 15 days. The committee's purpose is to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the social media ban incident and the subsequent protests.
As the situation unfolds, both the Nepalese government and Indian authorities are urging for peaceful resolution to the issues at hand, emphasising dialogue as the key to addressing the underlying frustrations that sparked the protests, including widespread corruption and dwindling economic opportunities in Nepal.
