Nepal is going through a tough time as angry citizens protest against their leaders. The trigger was a government ban on popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Although corruption and other illegalities already existed, the ban set off huge demonstrations that turned violent and forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign. Young people led the protests, and after casualties and unrest, the ban was lifted. Here’s a quick look at five important things to know.
Why the protests began
People in Nepal got really upset with their leaders. They felt the government wasn’t fixing problems, so huge crowds came out to protest. Things turned so serious that the Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, had to resign.
Curfews in place
To stop the violence from spreading, the government put curfews in place. That’s like a lockdown — people are told to stay indoors and can’t move around freely.
No flights, no buses
Flights from India to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, were cancelled. Even the popular Delhi–Kathmandu bus was stopped for now, so travellers couldn’t get in or out easily.
Tourists stuck far from home
Many Indians who went to Nepal for holidays or pilgrimages are stuck there. Some are waiting in hotels, hoping for flights to resume.
Police on alert
The Indian government has opened helplines to help stranded people. Indian states bordering Nepal — including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar — increased security checks to prevent trouble from spilling over.
(With inputs from PTI)