Police fire rubber bullets; journalists and civilians among the injured
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 8
A Gen Z protester has reportedly died and few others have been injured in Kathmandu's New Baneshwor and Jhapa's Damak as demonstrations against corruption and the government's social media ban escalated.
The deceased protester, allegedly shot during the clashes in New Baneshwor, died while receiving treatment at Civil Hospital. The identities of some injured remain unconfirmed.
In Damak, Jhapa, protesters marched from Damak Chowk toward the municipal office, burning an effigy of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and attempting to break municipal gates. Police intervened with rubber bullets, leaving one critically injured. Demonstrators also set fire to several motorcycles, escalating tensions in the town.
In New Baneshwor, photographers and journalists were among those injured. Dipendra Dhungana of Naya Patrika, Umesh Karki of Nepal Press, and Shyam Shrestha of Kantipur Television were struck by rubber bullets while covering the protest and are being treated at Civil Hospital.
The situation in New Baneshwor remains tense. Following earlier clashes, authorities had imposed a curfew from 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., covering Baneshwor Chowk to Bijuli Bazaar bridge (west), Tinkune Chowk (east), Ratna Rajya School (north), and Shankhamul bridge (south). The Nepali Army has been deployed to support security forces after protesters stormed restricted zones and the Federal Parliament premises.
Police previously used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and aerial shots to disperse the crowd, but demonstrators continued to clash with authorities. Officials describe the situation as highly tense, and security forces are attempting to restore order while ensuring civilians' safety.
Beyond Kathmandu and Jhapa, Gen Z youths also staged protests in Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, Nepalgunj and Biratnagar, voicing anger against corruption and the social media shutdown.
