Kathmandu Under Indefinite Curfew Following Violent Unrest Over Social Media Ban

Authorities in Kathmandu re-imposed an indefinite curfew on Tuesday, hours after they had revoked a previous one, as tensions in Nepal's capital kept rising.

The District Administration Office of Kathmandu declared that the curfew would run from 8:30 a.m. and continue indefinitely, extending to the entire city.

The officials stated that the new restrictions were a means to restore order following violent confrontations on Monday between youths who are against the government's ban on social media and security officers. The violence resulted in 19 deaths and over 300 injured. The last time a curfew had been imposed was at 5:00 a.m.

"No movement of individuals, any form of congregation, demonstration, protest, meeting and sit-in will be permissible during the curfew," a statement issued by Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal read.

"However, emergency services, including ambulances, fire engines, vehicles carrying health workers, tourists, media personnel, and air travellers will be permitted to operate in coordination with security personnel," the notice said.

Comparable curfew orders were imposed in the neighboring Bhaktapur district from 8:30 a.m., covering places like Pepsikola, Radheradhe Chowk, Sallaghari, Duwakot, and Changu Narayan Temple. There were also restrictions in some areas of Lalitpur, bordering the capital.

In spite of the crackdown, student-led protests broke out in several areas on Tuesday morning. Demonstration was witnessed in Kalanki and Baneshwor in Kathmandu, and the Chapagaun-Thecho region of Lalitpur.

Students and protesters chanted slogans such as "Don't kill students," refusing openly to respect the prohibition on public demonstrations.

Tyres were reportedly torched in Kalanki early in the morning, obstructing many roads, eyewitnesses said.

The abrupt imposition of curfew led to panic buying, as people flocked to stores and pharmacies to get essentials. Public transport has meanwhile been halted, and schools and colleges are still closed.