Journalists rally against attack on press

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) organised a rally in the capital on Tuesday to protest the continued attack of the Maoist affiliated trade union on Kantipur Publications and other media houses.

The rally started from Baneshwor and ended at Maitighar. Media freedom activists addressing the gathering after the rally criticised the Maoists for not respecting press freedom to which they had earlier expressed commitments.

Reports say the Maoists have put obstacles in the Kantipur press in Bharatpur and seized and burnt the printed copies in Biratnagar on Tuesday morning. The newspapers were being transported to Dharan from Biratnagar for distribution.

Maoists have also threatened to blast the Bharatpur office. With the threats, the publication failed to print the Bharatpur edition on Tuesday. On Monday, the Bharatpur editions were burnt in Pokhara.

Meanwhile, Jana Samparka Samiti, Hong Kong has condemned the Maoist attack on Kantipur that led to closure of two dailies.

A statement by Samiti's general secretary Ishor Khad said the attack was against the democratic values and is condemnable act. He said a programme will be organised to protest the attack. nepalnews.com ia Oct 02 07

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