IN BRIEF

Abuse of journo flayed

Kathmandu: The National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) on Sunday condemned the abuse of the chief photojournalist of The Himalayan Times, Rajesh Gurung, by the police at Ward Police Office Gaushala on Saturday. Dhurba Ale, secretary of the NFPJ, said police inspector Ramesh Basnet had used force to oust Gurung from the police office. Gurung, an executive member of NFPJ, was at the police post to inquire about Mahashivaratri programmes. “Even the police constables on duty were surprised at their bosses’ misbehaviour,” Ale said, adding, there was no need to resort to such acts of violence. On behalf of the forum, Ale also requested the concerned authorities not to repeat such incidents. Reporters’ Club Nepal and Crime Reporters’ Group has also condemned the ‘irresponsible’ act of the police inspector. “The media will come up with strong protest programmes if such incidents of abuse by drunk police officials are repeated,” Rishi Dahama, chairman of the Reporter’s Club, said. — HNS

UML flays govt

Kathmandu: The Department of International Relations of the CPN-UML, through a press statement today, labelled the February 23 attack on party central committee member and former minister Bhim Rawal, who is also a member of the international relations department, a “cowardly act.” Rawal was attacked by a group of unidentified persons on his way home after attending the party central committee meeting in Balkhu on February 23. “The barbaric attack on Rawal is a conspiracy against the forces fighting for the restoration of democracy,” said the statement issued by Yadav Sharma, a member of Department of International Relations. The department has demanded an immediate investigation into the incident and stern action against the assailants. — HNS

Crown Princess’ call

KATHMANDU: Crown Princess Himani on Saturday called on the women who received Navadevi honour-2006, which is given in celebration of womanhood, to join hands for the uplift women in the country, at a function here. — RSS