Kathmandu, February 11:

President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dharmendra Jha today accused the government of violating the press freedom in the country.

Addressing a protest meet here, Jha said the government had continued with intimidation tactics against the press. He also expressed concerns about the arrest of Rishi Dhamala, president of the Reporters’ Club Nepal.

He said the government was hell bent on defaming all journalists by levelling baseless charges against the journalists. He smelt rat in government’s move to arrest Dhamala and seek evidences after the arrest.

Earlier, a protest rally that began from Bhrikuti Mandap converged into a corner meet at Ratna Park. This was the final protest of the third phase of the FNJ’s protests, demanding action against the murderers of journalists, including Uma Singh.

Journalists, civic society, intellectuals and professionals took part in the rally.