Kathmandu, February 4:

Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) today organised a demonstration in the capital to condemn ‘planned’ attacks on mediapersons covering demo-nstrations in the Terai region.

Shambhu Bhandari of Nepal 1 TV, Bikram Luitel of Nepal Samacharpatra and Nepal FM, Binod Bhandari of Kantipur and Mohan Manandhar of Nepal Television were thrashed after tying them with ropes in Biratnagar. The mediapersons were at Tankisinwari of Biratnagar to cover the goodwill rally this morning. “The incidents make the state of the press very clear,” a press release issued here today states.

The release added that the attack has made the commitment expressed by Upendra Yadav, chairman of Madhesh Janadhikar Forum (MJF), not to attack the press, meaningless.

Meanwhile, Press Council has shown concern over attacks on mediapersons during demonstrations in the Terai.

“The Press Council condemns all kinds of attacks against the press and draws the attention of the government for security of the mediapersons,” a press release stated.

Our Itahari correspondent said FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri condemned the attack on journalists in Biratnagar this morning. “The attack has forced us to view the political image of the MJF in a different light,” Nisthuri said.

Speaking to local journalists, Nisthuri said, “I have urged MJF chairperson Uprendra Yadav to make public his view of journalists and the Press.” He urged the MJF to seek a public apology.

Nepal Bar Association (NBA) also condemned attacks on journalists by agitators in the Terai region. “Journalists have the freedom of access to information and attack on them is condemnable,” NBA General Secretary Madhav Banskota said in a statement here today.

Reporters’ Club Nepal also condemned the attack on the press in Biratnagar on Sunday. “It is a crime against humanity to attack somebody in a planned way. And it is a serious matter when the attack is targeted at the free press,” a statement issued in Kathmandu said.