Kathmandu, September 16

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ishwor Pokharel today said that the government would not let the culprit/s involved in the  rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta go scot-free and that justice would be done.

Speaking during the general assembly of Sancharika Samuha here today, Minister Pokharel also said that journalists should be accountable for what they write.

“The constitution guarantees freedom of the press and the right to freedom of expression and opinion, but journalists should not misuse this right.” He also hinted that security personnel might have been involved in the Nirmala Panta rape and murder case.  “If security personnel are involved, they should be punished. However, journalists should not misuse their right to malign anybody they want,” he said.

Govinda Acharya, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, said that though journalists were helping the government, the latter was trying to curtail press freedom.

Acharya claimed that journalists were being intimidated by the state.

Four journalists were also awarded during the programme. Online Khabar journalist Santa Gaha Magar was awarded with Sancharika Equality Award, which carries a purse of Rs 15,000. Likewise, Gita Kuwar of Annapurna Post was honoured  with Late Uma Singh Journalism Award with a purse of Rs 7,111, while Sancharika Encouragement Award was conferred on Silpa Karna of Kantipur Daily and Barsha Shah of Desh Sanchar.

Founder general secretary of Sancharika Samuha Bandhana Rana said the number of women journalists were increasing in the country and that was a positive sign.