At least 19 people have died after police opened fire on Gen Z-led protests in Kathmandu and other cities on Monday. Youths took to the street in various towns including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari and Damak against corruption and the recent ban on social media platforms.

The protests, initially centred at New Baneshwar in the Capital City, escalated throughout the day despite authorities imposing a curfew from 3:30 pm.

According to hospital officials, at least 17 died in different hospitals in Kathmandu alone–8 people died at the National Trauma Centre, 3 at Everest Hospital, 3 at Civil Hospital, 2 at Kathmandu Medical College, and 1 at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital.

In Sunsari, 2 protesters shot during demonstrations in Itahari also succumbed to injuries, taking the nationwide toll to 19.

Hospitals across the country are treating at least 347 injured protesters. Civil Hospital is treating 100, Trauma Centre 59, Everest 102, KMC 37, Bir Hospital six, Patan Hospital four, Tribhuvan Teaching 18, Norvic three, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences two, Gandaki Medical College one, Birat Medical College four, and Damak Hospital seven.

Doctors at multiple hospitals confirmed that dozens remain in critical condition. Everest Hospital’s Anil Adhikari said four patients are in serious condition, while Dr Dipendra Pandey at Trauma Centre said 10 are critical, with bullet wounds to the head and chest.

Police used water cannons, tear gas, and live rounds to disperse crowds in Baneshwar, where demonstrators had gathered outside the Federal Parliament building. Similar protests spread across major cities, including Pokhara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, and Nepalgunj as well.

In Sunsari, one protester was killed on the spot in front of the Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City Office, while another, who had been critically injured and admitted to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, later died.

In Jhapa, demonstrators threw stones at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Damak. Police fired several rounds in the air to disperse the crowd. Protesters also blocked stretches of the East-West Highway by burning tyres.

Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission issued a statement urging restraint from both security forces and protesters. The commission said the constitution and international law guarantee the right to peaceful dissent, and described the escalation into vandalism and excessive force as ‘regrettable.’

The demonstrations, led largely by young people identifying as Generation Z, erupted nationwide against corruption and what they call entrenched political failure. The movement has drawn thousands to the streets in Kathmandu and other urban centres since morning, with students and youth organisations at the forefront.

Authorities have responded by imposing curfews in several districts, restricting gatherings and movement in areas where protests were most intense. Security forces continue to patrol major intersections in Kathmandu and other towns as hospitals remain overwhelmed by the surge in casualties.