Nepal’s prime minister resigns after deadly protests over social media ban

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00:00For more than four decades, Nepal has struggled with fragile governments and frustrated citizens.

00:05This week, that frustration boiled over into deadly street protests

00:09that forced the country's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Ali to resign.

00:15The demonstrations began after his government abruptly blocked Facebook, YouTube, and X,

00:21saying the platforms had refused to register under new oversight rules.

00:25But outrage exploded Monday when police opened fire on crowds in Kathmandu, killing 19 people.

00:32Restoring social media access did not stop the unrest.

00:36Protesters torched the parliament building, stormed the homes of senior leaders,

00:40including Ali's private residence, and shut down the airport.

00:43Ministers were airlifted to safety as demonstrators chanted,

00:46punish the murderers in government, stop killing children.

00:50Young Nepali citizens are driving the movement,

00:53accusing political elites of corruption and, they say, nepotism that leaves them without opportunities.

00:59The World Bank reports youth unemployment near 20 percent,

01:03and government data shows more than 2,000 people leave Nepal every day to work abroad.

01:08Families rely on remittances that make up more than a quarter of the country's economy.

01:13Before stepping down, Ali promised compensation for victims and a panel to investigate the shootings.

01:18His home minister also resigned, but rights groups called the social media law a tool for censorship,

01:25and protesters say a resignation is not enough.

01:28One demonstrator outside parliament put it,

01:31we are here to see that justice is done and the present regime is ousted.

01:35Nepal has cycled through repeated leadership changes since 2015.

01:39Now its youngest generation is demanding more than just another name at the top.

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01:48For more unbiased updates, visit www.fema.gov.au