KATHMANDU: A series of violent incidents reported across the country in recent weeks has raised serious concerns over increasing aggression and intolerance among youths in Nepal.
One such incident took place on May 23 in Kailali, where a gang fight erupted at a hotel in Mahendranagar. Four youths were sitting on a sofa, smoking hookah and consuming alcohol, when a long-haired boy suddenly entered and attacked one of them. Soon after, three more youths entered the hotel and joined the assault.
However, the four youths retaliated, leading to a violent clash that lasted around six minutes. According to eyewitness accounts, the fight resembled scenes from a South Indian action film, with helmets and hotel objects used as weapons. The first attacker was reportedly beaten severely.
In another case on April 21, a wedding celebration in Bhanu Basti of Punarbas Municipality-5 in Kanchanpur turned deadly after a dispute broke out between the bride’s and groom’s sides. Eighteen-year-old Ujjwal Sayar was attacked with a sharp weapon and later died during treatment. Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the incident.
Similarly, on May 6, a dispute among friends in Bodetol, Kirtipur Municipality-10, led to the murder of 22-year-old Bipin Ghimire of Dhurkot Rural Municipality-7, Gulmi. He was attacked with a sharp weapon by his own friends in broad daylight and died while being taken to hospital.
The incident, captured on CCTV footage, showed a group of six individuals. Police said the main accused, Sujan Shahi, had recently been released from custody and was later arrested after police opened fire. Others arrested include 25-year-old Mahendra Shah of Achham, 23-year-old Rabindra Dhami, and 22-year-old Roshan Bista of Kailali.
Police statistics show that 3,502 murder cases have been recorded in Nepal over the past five years. Among the victims were 1,940 men, 1,167 women, 211 boys, and 142 girls.
According to the data, 707 murders were recorded in fiscal year 2020/21, 684 in 2021/22, 522 in 2022/23, 638 in 2023/24, 522 in 2024/25, and 429 murders have already been reported by May of the current fiscal year 2025/26.
Nepal Police spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General Binod Narayan Kafle said social media misuse, the desire to appear aggressive online, gang culture, and drug abuse were among the major factors contributing to rising violent crimes.
“Most serious crimes and murders are not pre-planned. They often result from momentary anger, personal disputes, family problems, and mental stress,” he said.
He also pointed to weakening family communication, declining moral education, and reduced social bonding within communities as factors making society increasingly insensitive.
“Earlier, communities had a strong culture of resolving disputes. Now, many people are more interested in recording videos at crime scenes rather than intervening,” Kafle added.
Psychologist Khima Rijal warned that if social media remains unregulated, “every household could produce a criminal within the next five years.”
Speaking to Khabarhub, Rijal said social media has encouraged unhealthy comparisons and unrealistic desires among youths.
“They want the same clothes, phones, and vehicles others have, regardless of their family’s financial condition. Many seek luxury lifestyles without hard work and are willing to choose dangerous paths to achieve them,” she said.
Rijal also blamed changing food habits and lifestyles, saying processed foods and exposure to harmful online content were contributing to aggressive behavior.
She stressed that media outlets also bear responsibility in reducing crime by promoting awareness rather than sensationalizing violent incidents for views and trends.
“Crime reporting should create discussions around causes, solutions, and social impact instead of merely turning incidents into sensational headlines,” she said.
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