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Tough-talking Nepali leader Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli spent decades in communist politics and served as prime minister four times before resigning Tuesday, after deadly youth protests triggered by a ban on social media.The 73-year-old quit shortly after angry protesters set fire to his house, writing in his resignation letter that he hoped it would help “towards a political solution and resolution of the problems”.On Monday, after at least 19 people were killed in a police crackdown on protests against his government’s ban on unregistered social media, access to the apps was restored — but the demonstrations continued.Protesters also set fire to parliament on Tuesday, and Oli’s whereabouts were not immediately clear.The often outspoken head of the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), formed a government with the backing of the centre-left Nepali Congress in 2024. Oli, often known by his first initials “KP”, carefully crafted a cult-like image as his party’s supreme leader, with life-size cutouts and banners of “KP Ba (father), we love you” seen at his rallies.- Authoritarian streak -Political journalist Binu Subedi said he had “transformed the party’s image as his own”.But an authoritarian streak emerged.Subedi said Oli had considered his word as “final”, and rarely accepted criticism or suggestions, even from his own party.Oli’s political career stretches nearly six decades, a period that saw a decade-long civil war, with Nepal abolishing its absolute monarchy in 2008 to become a republic.Drawn into underground communist politics as a teenager, he was 21 when he was arrested in 1973 for campaigning to overthrow the king. “I was sentenced to harsh imprisonment for 14 years, with four years of solitary confinement”, he wrote in a book of selected speeches. He studied and wrote poetry in detention, penning his verses on cigarette boxes when he couldn’t access paper. “My crime was that I fought against the autocratic regime,” Oli added.”But this never deterred me, instead, it emboldened me to continue the struggle.”After his release in 1987, he joined the CPN-UML and rose through the ranks, winning elections to parliament. The veteran politician was first prime minister in 2015, before being re-elected in 2018 and reappointed briefly in 2021 in Nepal’s often turbulent parliament.He previously said he recognises that “Marxism and Leninism cannot be a ready-made solution to every problem”.In the Himalayan republic of some 30 million people, overshadowed by giant neighbours India and China, Oli previously trod a fine balance between the rivals.He was cordial to both but reached out to Beijing to decrease Nepal’s dependence on New Delhi, with promises of economic growth helping him gain popularity.Oli also stoked populist rhetoric against India, which is often portrayed as acting like an overbearing “big brother” to Nepal.

Nepali youth protesters set fire to parliament on Tuesday as the veteran prime minister obeyed furious crowds to quit, a day after one of the deadliest crackdowns in years in which at least 19 people were killed.The protests, which began on Monday with demands that the government lift a ban on social media and tackle corruption, reignited despite the apps going back online.Demonstrators on Tuesday attacked and set fire to KP Sharma Oli’s house, the 73-year-old, four-time prime minister and leader of the Communist Party.Shortly after, chanting protesters — some wielding assault rifles, according to an AFP reporter at the site — gathered outside main government buildings.Plumes of smoke also covered Nepal’s parliament as demonstrators set the building ablaze.”Hundreds have breached the parliament area and torched the main building,” Ekram Giri, spokesman for the Parliament Secretariat, told AFP. Protesters, mostly young men, were seen waving the country’s national flag as they dodged water cannons deployed by the security forces.Other demonstrators targeted the properties of politicians and government buildings.Kathmandu’s airport remains open, but some flights were cancelled after smoke from fires affected visibility, airport spokesman Rinji Sherpa said.”I have resigned from the post of prime minister with effect from today… in order to take further steps towards a political solution and resolution of the problems,” Oli said Tuesday in a statement.His political career stretched nearly six decades, a period that saw a decade-long civil war, with Nepal abolishing its absolute monarchy in 2008 to become a republic.First elected as prime minister in 2015, he was re-elected in 2018, reappointed briefly in 2021, and then took power in 2024 after his Communist Party forged a coalition government with the centre-left Nepali Congress in the often-volatile parliament.His resignation followed that of three other ministers, and came despite the government repealing the ban.Bringing social media back online “was among the Gen Z’s demands”, Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP, referring to young people aged largely in their 20s.The ban fed into existing anger at the government in a country with a youth bulge.People aged 15-40 make up nearly 43 percent of the population, according to government statistics — while unemployment hovers around 10 percent and GDP per capita is just $1,447, according to the World Bank.- Live ammunition -Slogans demanding accountability from the authorities have been a feature at the protests.”Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state — that shows the scale of police brutality,” said 23-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari.Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — were blocked on Friday in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, after the government cut access to 26 unregistered platforms.Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters on Monday, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe.Since Friday, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which was not blocked.Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business. Others rely on the apps for messaging.”This isn’t just about social media — it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent,” The Kathmandu Post newspaper wrote.”Gen Z grew up with smartphones, global trends, and promises of a federal, prosperous Nepal,” it added.”For them, digital freedom is personal freedom. Cutting off access feels like silencing an entire generation.”Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past, including to Telegram in July, citing a rise in online fraud.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

Nepal rolled back its social media ban on Tuesday, a day after at least 19 people were killed in youth protests demanding that the government lift its restrictions and tackle corruption.All major social media apps were working, an AFP reporter in Kathmandu said, as the government ordered a probe into the violence that saw police launch one of the deadliest crackdowns on protesters for years.”The social media platforms have been opened, which was among the Gen Z’s demands,” Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung told AFP, referring to young people aged largely in their 20s.”We are open to talk with the protesters.”A curfew was imposed in several cities on Tuesday morning, but groups angry over the violence and deaths defied it.Some targeted the properties of politicians and government buildings, according to an AFP photographer and local media reports.Others burnt tyres, shouting slogans demanding accountability from the authorities.”Nearly 20 people were murdered by the state — that shows the scale of police brutality,” 23-year-old student Yujan Rajbhandari said Tuesday, who took in the protests a day earlier.”The government … have to take responsibility for the lives that were lost.”Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — were blocked on Friday in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, after the government cut access to 26 unregistered platforms.The ban sparked widespread fury, especially among the younger generation who rely heavily on the apps for communication.Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters on Monday, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe.One eyewitness said she had “never seen such a disturbing situation” at the hospital where dozens of the 400 injured were treated.”Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, speaking during the protests.- ‘Silencing an entire generation’ -Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, 73, in a letter issued overnight, after an emergency cabinet meeting where the interior minister resigned, said he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.”The government was not in favour of stopping the use of social media and will ensure an environment for its use”, Oli wrote in a letter, ordering an investigation committee probe the violence.The ban fed into anger at the government in a country where unemployment hovers around 10 percent and GDP per capita at just $1,447, according to the World Bank.Police in Kathmandu on Monday clashed with the crowds when protesters pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament.Seventeen people were killed in Kathmandu, police said, and two more in the eastern district of Sunsari, according to local media.Kathmandu police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said about 400 people were injured, including more than 100 police.Since Friday, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which was not blocked.Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.”This isn’t just about social media — it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent,” the Kathmandu Post newspaper wrote.”Gen Z grew up with smartphones, global trends, and promises of a federal, prosperous Nepal,” it added.”For them, digital freedom is personal freedom. Cutting off access feels like silencing an entire generation.”Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past, including to Telegram in July, citing a rise in online fraud.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

Nepal rolled back its social media ban on Tuesday, a day after at least 19 people were killed in protests demanding that the government lift its restrictions and tackle corruption.All major social media apps were working, an AFP reporter in Kathmandu said, as the government ordered a probe into the violence that saw police launch a deadly crackdown on protesters.Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — were blocked on Friday in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people, after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms.The ban sparked widespread fury, especially among the younger generation who rely heavily on the apps for communication. Many took to the streets on Monday demanding it be repealed.Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters, and the United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe.One eyewitness said she had “never seen such a disturbing situation” at the hospital where dozens of the 400 injured were treated.”Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, speaking during the protests.- ‘Silencing an entire generation’ -Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, 73, in a letter issued overnight, after an emergency cabinet meeting where the interior minister resigned, said he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.”The government was not in favour of stopping the use of social media and will ensure an environment for its use”, Oli wrote in a letter, adding that an “investigation committee will be formed to investigate and analyse” the protests.Nepal’s Minister for Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung was quoted by local media as saying that the government has withdrawn its ban.The ban fed into anger at the government in a country where unemployment hovers around 10 percent and GDP per capita at just $1,447, according to the World Bank.Crowds held protests on Monday in the capital and other cities.Police in Kathmandu clashed with the crowds when protesters pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament.Seventeen people were killed in Kathmandu, police said, and two more in the eastern district of Sunsari, according to local media.Kathmandu police spokesman Shekhar Khanal said about 400 people were injured, including more than 100 police.Since Friday, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which was not blocked.Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.”This isn’t just about social media — it’s about trust, corruption, and a generation that refuses to stay silent,” the Kathmandu Post newspaper wrote.”Gen Z grew up with smartphones, global trends, and promises of a federal, prosperous Nepal,” it added.”For them, digital freedom is personal freedom. Cutting off access feels like silencing an entire generation.”Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

At least 19 people were killed Monday when police dispersed young demonstrators in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal demanding the government lift a social media ban and tackle corruption.Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — have been inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused.Police used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and batons when the demonstrators pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament.”Seventeen people have died,” Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for the Kathmandu valley police, told AFP. Another two people were killed in Sunsari district in eastern Nepal, local media reported.Khanal said about 400 people were injured, including over 100 police.Following the violence, home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned at a cabinet meeting in the evening, local media reported.”I had been there for a peaceful protest, but the government used force,” said Iman Magar, 20, who was hit in his right arm.”It was not a rubber bullet but a metallic one, and it took away a part of my hand. The doctor says I need to undergo an operation.”Sirens wailed through the city as the injured were taken to hospitals.”I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, which received many of the wounded. “Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” she told AFP.- UN calls for probe -The United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe of the violence.”We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.”We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces.” Amnesty International said live ammunition had been used against protesters.The district administration imposed a curfew in several key areas of the city.Earlier, some of the demonstrators had climbed over the wall into the parliament premises, and its gate was vandalised.Similar protests were organised in other districts across the country. Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.”We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24.”We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”- ‘Want to see change’ -Demonstrators started their protest with the national anthem before chanting against the social media stoppage and corruption.Student Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting the “authoritarian attitude” of the government.”We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation,” she told AFP.There have been several corruption cases reported in the last few years involving ministers, former ministers and other high-profile officials. Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating.”There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.Violent protests driven by discontent over inequality and lavish perks for lawmakers have rocked Indonesia in recent weeks. A year ago, a student-led popular uprising over job quotas ousted the longtime leader of Bangladesh.Nepal’s cabinet decided last month to give the affected social media firms seven days to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact and designate resident grievance and compliance officers.In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use”.Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

At least 17 protesters were killed Monday when Nepal police dispersed young demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its social media ban and tackle corruption.Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — have been inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused.Police used rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and batons when the demonstrators pushed through barbed wire and tried to storm into a restricted area near parliament.”Seventeen people have died,” Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for the Kathmandu valley police, told AFP. Khanal said about 400 people were injured, including over 100 police.Following the violence, home minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned at a cabinet meeting in the evening, local media reported.”I had been there for a peaceful protest, but the government used force,” said Iman Magar, 20, who was hit in his right arm.”It was not a rubber bullet but a metallic one, and it took away a part of my hand. The doctor says I need to undergo an operation.”Sirens wailed through the city as the injured were taken to hospitals.”I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the Civil Hospital, which received many of those wounded. “Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” she told AFP.- UN calls for probe -The United Nations demanded a swift and transparent probe of the violence.”We are shocked by the killings and injury of protesters in Nepal today and urge a prompt and transparent investigation,” UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.”We have received several deeply worrying allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by security forces.” Amnesty International also called for an investigation, and said live ammunition had been used against protesters.The district administration imposed a curfew in several key areas of the city, including the parliament, the president’s residence and Singha Durbar, which houses the prime minister’s office.Some of the demonstrators had climbed over the wall into the parliament premises and its gate was vandalised.Similar protests were organised in other districts across the country. Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.”We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24.”We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”- ‘Want to see change’ -Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting the “authoritarian attitude” of the government.”We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation,” she told AFP.Demonstrators had started their protest in Kathmandu with the national anthem and waving the country’s flag, before chanting against the social media stoppage and corruption.There have been several corruption cases reported in the last few years involving ministers, former ministers and high-profile officials. Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating.”There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.The cabinet decided last month to give the affected social media firms seven days to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact and designate resident grievance and compliance officers.The decision came after a Supreme Court order in September last year.In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use”.Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson believes his team’s victory in a tri-series tournament with Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates will serve as a “confidence builder” for the Asia Cup starting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.Pakistan thumped Afghanistan by 75 runs on a tricky pitch in Sunday’s final in Sharjah, with Mohammad Nawaz claiming a hat-trick in a career-best five-wicket haul.”We have beaten Afghanistan in conditions that suited their spin attack, which was a real confidence builder,” said Hesson, who was only appointed white-ball coach in May, on Monday.”Heading into the Asia Cup this was also very important for us.”Since Hesson took over, Pakistan have white-washed Bangladesh 3-0 at home and then lost to the same opponents 2-1 in an away series.Pakistan also won 2-1 against the West Indies in Florida before losing just once, to the Afghans, in five tri-series matches.”An eight-team Asia Cup is great for Asian cricket and it’s a true test, it expands the game in the region, and it allows us to see players we don’t face often.”The 17th edition of the Asia Cup will kick off with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.Six-time Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the other teams in the group.Eight-time champions and title holders India, Pakistan, Oman and the UAE are in Group A.India open their campaign with a match against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday before their high-profile clash with Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday.”Our pool is challenging with Oman, UAE and India, so we need to adapt quickly. The key is not to get distracted by external pressures,” said Hesson, who coached New Zealand to the ODI World Cup final in 2015.The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage, with the final to be held on September 28 in Dubai.

At least 16 protesters were killed Monday when Nepal police dispersed young demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its social media ban and tackle corruption.Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — have been inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused.Thousands took to the streets and were met with rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and baton-charges from police when the demonstrators pushed through barbed wire into a restricted area near parliament.”I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital,” said Ranjana Nepal, information officer at the facility which received many of those wounded. “Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work,” she told AFP from the Civil Hospital.Nepali media reported police used live fire against the protesters, a claim AFP could not immediately verify. “Sixteen people have sadly died,” Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for the Kathmandu valley police, told AFP. “About a hundred are under treatment, including police.”The district administration imposed a curfew in several key areas of the city, including the parliament, the president’s residence and Singha Durbar, which houses the prime minister’s office.Some of the demonstrators had climbed over the wall into the parliament premises and its gate was vandalised.Similar protests were organised in other districts across the country. Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.”We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24.”We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”- ‘Want to see change’ -Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting against the “authoritarian attitude” of the government.”We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation,” she told AFP.Demonstrators had started their protest in Kathmandu with the national anthem and waving the country’s flag, before chanting against the social media stoppage and corruption.There have been several corruption cases reported in the last few years involving ministers, former ministers and high-profile officials. Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating.”There have been movements abroad against corruption and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.The cabinet decided last month to give the affected social media firms seven days to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact and designate a resident grievance handling officer and compliance officer.The decision came after a Supreme Court order in September last year.In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use”.Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

At least 10 protesters were killed Monday after Nepal police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its ban on social media and tackle corruption.Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — have been inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused.”Until now 10 protesters have died and 87 are injured,” Shekhar Khanal, spokesman for the Kathmandu valley police, told AFP.”The crowds are still in the streets”.Many of the injured were being treated at the nearby Civil Hospital, according to its information officer Ranjana Nepal.”I have never seen such a disturbing situation at the hospital,” she told AFP. “Tear gas entered the hospital area as well, making it difficult for doctors to work”. Waving national flags, young demonstrators in the capital Kathmandu started the protest with the national anthem before unleashing chants against the social media prohibitions and corruption.The crowd swelled as it crossed into a restricted area close to the parliament, and pushed through barbed wire.Violence erupted in the streets as police baton-charged protesters, some of whom climbed over the wall into the parliament premises.The district administration imposed a curfew in several key areas of the city, including the parliament, the president’s residence and Singha Durbar, which houses the prime minister’s office.Similar protests were organised in other districts across the country. Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business.”We were triggered by the social media ban but that is not the only reason we are gathered here,” said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24.- ‘We want to see change’ -“We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal.”Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting against the “authoritarian attitude” of the government.”We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation,” she told AFP.Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating.”There have been movements abroad against corruption and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well,” said protester Bhumika Bharati.The cabinet decided last month to give the affected companies seven days to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact and designate a resident grievance handling officer and compliance officer.The decision came after a Supreme Court order in September last year.In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to “creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use”.Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past.The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering.It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.