Journalists injured while reporting GenZ protest in Kathmandu

Three journalists, dozens of protestors were injured and 19 protestors reportedly died during the demonstration called upon by the youths of Generation Z in the different places of Nepal. Gen Z called the youths to wage protest against corruption and the government’s recent ban on 26 social media platforms today (September 8).

On September 4, Nepal Government ordered the telecommunication authority to shut down the social media platforms, after they failed to meet the government’s deadline for listing in Nepal. This move has induced dissents across various sectors.

The civil society organizations released joint statements stressing the government to take back this decision, journalists staged a protest on September 7 demanding the authorities to revoke the ban. Today, thousands of youths participated in the protest starting from Maitighar area to New Baneshwor area which has parliament premises. They chanted the slogans- “Say no to CORRUPTION. Say Yes to INTEGRITY”,  “Our future is not for SALE”, “Youths against CORRUPTION”, “ENOUGH is ENOUGH”, “Free Speech, Our Right”, “Stop Corruption”, etc.

As the protestors reached New Baneshwor area, they forcefully broke the police barricade to enter the restricted area, Federal Parliament premises. Following this, security forces fired rubber bullets and water cannon at the protestors. More than three dozens of the protestors were injured in the incident. According to the news reports, 14 of the injured protesters died during treatment in the hospital.

Three journalists were also shot by the rubber bullets fired by the security persons. Journalists at Kantipur TV Shyam Shrestha, Nayapatrika’s Dipendra Dhungana and Nepal Press’s Umesh Karki were injured while covering the protest.

Journalist Shrestha was shot in the arm, Dhungana received injuries just below the ear and Karki was also injured in his arm. Shrestha and Karki are undergoing treatment in Civil Service Hospital and Dhungana has been referred to Patan hospital.

As of September 9 update, journalists Shrestha and Karki have continued their reporting after being discharged while journalist Dhungana is receiving treatment under intensive care at Patan Hospital.

Following this, Kathmandu District Administration Office issued curfew order in different place of Kathmandu after the Generation Z’s protest turned violent. The curfew issued by Chief District Officer (CDO) Chhabilal Rijal is effective from 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm on September 8. The order covers areas from New Baneshwar Chowk west to Everest Hotel and Bijulibazar Arch Bridge, and from New Baneshwar Chowk east via Min Bhawan and Shantinagar to Tinkune Chowk. Further, curfew is also imposed from New Baneshwar Chowk north through Eyeplex Mall to Ratna Rajya Secondary School, and south via Shankhamul to Shankhamul Bridge.

Again, the curfew has been extended to President’s residence, Shital Niwas area, Maharajgunj, the vice-president’s residence in Lainchaur, all sides of Singha Durbar, the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar, and surrounding areas. Indefinite curfew order has been issued in Pokhara, Gandaki Province. According to the order, public movement, gatherings, demonstrations within these places are strictly prohibited.

Observing the current situation, Executive Chief Taranath Dahal said, “The government’s illegitimate administrative order to ban social media platforms has led to today’s unfortunate situation. Thus, the government should take full responsibility for the suppression during Gen Z’s protest, as well as for the treatment of injured journalists and protestors. Further, the government should immediately withdraw the social media ban to normalize the situation.”

Freedom Forum demands immediate investigation into the incidents and strongly urges the government to address people's demand for free access to social media platforms.

Photo: Injured journalists Shyam Shrestha (left) and Dipendra Dhungana (right)/ Source:- Onlinekhabar and Facebook