Person presumed to be Nepal's Finance Minister assaulted by protesters. Captured from NDTV YouTube video. 

Videos capturing extreme chaos in Nepal, where large-scale anti-government protests are ongoing, are circulating on social media (SNS), showing individuals presumed to be ministers being assaulted by protesters.

According to India's NDTV and other sources on the 13th (local time), on the 9th, when anti-government protests in Nepal intensified, a man believed to be Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was assaulted by protesters on the streets of the capital, Kathmandu.

The video shows a man fleeing from protesters, only to be kicked by another man and fall to the ground. NDTV, which uploaded the video to YouTube, included the caption "Nepal's Finance Minister beaten by mob."

Videos also spread via social media showing a man presumed to be Minister Paudel, wearing only underwear, being dragged around with his limbs lifted by several protesters, as well as a scene of a person believed to be Foreign Minister Arjun Rana Deuba being collectively beaten by protesters.

AP reported that a private school owned by Minister Deuba and his wife burned down due to arson by protesters.

The recent large-scale protests in Nepal began in response to the government's blocking of access to 26 social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), on the 5th.

The Nepalese government cited the spread of fake news as the reason for restricting the use of SNS not registered with the authorities. However, young people criticized this as an attempt to suppress the anti-corruption movement happening online.

In particular, a large number of young people, disappointed with the government's inaction on corruption eradication and economic growth, joined the protests, which have since spread to other cities besides Kathmandu.

Videos contrasting the ostentatious displays of luxury goods and lavish vacations by children of high-ranking officials with the struggles of those facing financial hardship were rapidly shared on SNS, fueling the anger of young people.

Since the 8th, Nepalese police have been using strong suppression tactics, including tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets, resulting in 51 deaths and over 1,300 injuries.

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