The iconic pirate flag from the Japanese anime One Piece, with the skull and straw hat of the “Straw Hats,” has become an unexpected symbol of youth protests against censorship and corruption in Nepal. Thousands of protesters, mostly students and young activists, have taken to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities in the country, rejecting the policies of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The demonstrations began on September 8, after the government imposed a total ban on the main social media platforms, alleging concerns about fraud and misinformation. However, for the protesters, the measure constitutes a direct attack on freedom of expression.
Former Nepal PM’s Wife Dies in Fire
Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former Nepalese Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, died this Tuesday after suffering severe burns when protesters set fire to her home in Kathmandu with her inside, according to hospital sources confirmed to EFE. Chitrakar was taken to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition, but died of her injuries during treatment. Meanwhile, three protesters have died at the Civil Hospital, the center’s director, Mohan Regmi, confirmed to EFE, bringing the total number of deaths after the protests to 25. Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Monday following the violent repression of demonstrations in which at least 19 people died, in one of the bloodiest days in recent years in the Himalayan country. “I have resigned from the post of prime minister with effect from today… to take steps towards a political solution and the resolution of the problems,” Oli expressed in a letter sent to the presidency.You may be interested in: Protests in Nepal occur after ban on the use of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other social networks
