Family appeals for Shah's safe release

Family of abducted journalist Birendra Shah has made an earnest appeal to the Maoists for his safe release.

Shah's wife Umarawati Devi and his brother Bhaiyaram Shah urged the Maoists for Shah's safe release.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in Kathmandu, on Monday, they also said that they had came to the capital looking for strong support for Shah's release. Shah's 10 year old son Bivek Shah, daughter Bidhyalaxmi Shah, 6, and local journalists from his home town were also present in the programme.

The FNJ had organised a press conference demanding for the immediate safe release of the abducted journalist Shah who was abducted some three weeks ago.

Journalist Shah, member of FNJ and correspondent of Avenues Television, Nepal FM and Dristi Weekly was abducted on October 5 by an armed group from Pipara village of Bara district.

Speaking at the conference, FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri condemned the incident. He said, "Maoists should take the responsibility of the incident as it is already proved that Maoists are directly involved in Shah's abduction." He said it was a very shameful crime committed by Maoists, who are a party to peace agreement. Nisthuri also criticised the government for not doing anything for the scribe's release.

The report presented by FNJ mission team, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) states that the people holding responsible positions of Maoists are directly involved in Shah's abduction. The report also says that the scribe was abducted by past district president of Maoist party Kundan Faujdar and area in-charge Lal Bahadur Chaudhary. nepalnews.com sd Oct 29 07

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