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Nepal lifted its week-long ban on social media platforms including Facebook, X, and YouTube on Tuesday, a day after violent protests in Kathmandu left at least 19 people dead.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oliaddressing the nation, said the government was not in favor of restricting social media and promised a 15-day investigation into the events that led to the tragedy.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident… The situation that arose due to infiltration of the protest by vested interests has resulted in the loss of lives. The government was not in favor of stopping the use of social media and will ensure an environment for its use. An investigation committee will be formed to analyze the events and recommend measures to prevent such accidents in the future,” Oli said.

The violence erupted on September 8when police opened fire on demonstrators protesting the government’s push to regulate social media. In the aftermath, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned at an emergency Cabinet meeting.

The government had earlier ordered about two dozen social media firms to officially register in Nepal. Platforms that failed to comply were blocked, sparking widespread outrage. TikTok, Viber, and three other services remained operational as they had completed registration.

Nepal has had a history of clashes with digital platforms. In 2023, TikTok was banned for allegedly disrupting “social harmony” but was reinstated the following year after agreeing to comply with local laws.