POLICE in Kathmandu opened fire today on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, killing at least 10 and wounding dozens more.

Six people died at the Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, the Kantipur newspaper said, quoting doctors. Two died at the Civil Hospital and two more at the KMC hospital, according to doctors there who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to comment.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nepal’s capital today to vent their anger against a decision by authorities to block most social media platforms, saying that the companies had failed to register and submit to government oversight.

Protesters pushed through barbed wire. Police fired tear gas and water cannon but were outnumbered and sought safety inside the Parliament complex. Police eventually opened fire at the protesters.

About two dozen social network platforms that are widely used in Nepal were repeatedly given notices to register their companies officially in the country, the government said. Those which failed to register have been blocked since last week.

TikTok, Viber and three other platforms have registered and operate without interruption.

The Bill has been widely criticised as a tool for censorship and punishing government opponents who voice their protests online.