Himalayan News Serivce

Nepalgunj, June 14:

Security forces arrested 33 journalists taking part in a rally demanding press freedom in Nepalgunj today. They were released later. Police intervened when the rally, which started from the FNJ office at Nepalgunj, reached Dhambojhi chowk. The scribes shouted slogans and demanded communication minister Tanka Dhakal’s resignation. Several journalists including 80-year-old Pannalal Gupta, FNJ district president Prem KC, vice-president Jhalak Gaire and others were arrested. The detained journalists were, however, released after two hours, in the presence of National Human Rights Commission officer Bir Bahadur Buddha and handed over to president of Banke Chambers of Commerce Sunil Kumar Sharma. The FNJ-Banke condemned the government for interfering in the rally.

Manhandling of scribes condemned

KATHMANDU: The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders on Tuesday condemned the arrest and manhandling of protesting journalists by the police on Monday. In a statement, the NCHRD said such an act has revealed the government’s wrong attitude towards human rights, freedom of the press and freedom of speech and democracy. The National Human Rights Commission also forwarded a memorandum to the government concerning the arrest of the journalists. The NHRC urged the government to direct the authorities to respect the rule of law, democracy and human rights while discharging their duties. — HNS