Kathmandu, April 12:

The Joint Forum of Democratic Creators today condemned the brutal attack on and arrest of littérateurs and artistes here who took to the streets today to express solidarity with the movement for democracy.

According to the Forum, police rounded up a dozen littérateurs from the rally. It demanded the immediate release of detainees.

Police also rounded up several professors and lecturers, including the executive council member of the Nepal Engineers’ Association Dr Govinda Raj Pokhrel, from Ghantaghar. Asking the government to give up its pipe dream of suppressing the movement, the Association urged it to immediately release all members of the Association.

The Association also condemned the arrest of professionals fighting for the cause of democracy.

Meanwhile, the Gurkha Ex Army Association extended financial support of Rs 1,00,111 for the Mass Movement First Aid Treatment Fund. It also announced its solidarity with the ongoing movement. The Reporters’ Club Nepal also provided Rs 20,000 for the fund.

The Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) urged its members across the nation to actively take part in the ongoing movement aimed at restoring total democracy and human rights. It condemned the arrest of rights activists and demanded immediate release of all the detained human rights activists, including Daman Nath Dhungana, Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Kapil Shrestha and Charan Prasai among others.

HimRights also condemned brutal police attacks on demonstrators in different parts of the capital.

The Disabled Human Rights Centre Nepal accused the government of violating people’s human rights by suppressing the demonstrators. It asked the government to initiate dialogue with the political parties to bring an end to the current crisis.