FNJ warns govt

Kathmandu: The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has warned the government of “dire consequences” if it (government) introduced any “draconian law” to curb media freedom in the “pretext” of making media more responsible.

“We urge the government not to introduce such laws,” FNJ vice-chairman Mahendra Bista said on Tuesday. “FNJ flays the accusation of the Minister for Information and Communications Shrish SJB Rana, who said FNJ has been involved in political activism,” Bista added. Meanwhile, FNJ said it is “seriously concerned” with the adverse condition of the working journalists in the far-western parts of the country. A four-member FNJ team, who returned after a “fact-finding mission” of the six districts — Kanchanpur, Kailali, Dadeldhura, Achham, Bajura, and Doti of the far-western region — said the journalists working in those districts have been facing “tremendous pressure” from the zonal administrators and the nominated officials. — HNS

NC’s allegation

KATHMANDU: Inspector Pradeep Chhetri terrorised political detainess at the police batallion-2 at Maharajgunj on Monday evening, according to a press release issued by the Nepali Congress. “The inspector took out a pistol and threatened all of detainess at the station,” the press release stated. “The act is meaningful in the context that NC Morang president Binod Aryal and NC Biratnagar municipality committee president Kamaxa Parajuli was shot at by a policeman deployed for the security of home minister Kamal Thapa some days ago at Biratnagar,” the press release added. — HNS

Kids’ body flays EC

KATHMANDU: The Partnership for Protecting Children in Armed Conflict (PPCC) has condemned the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to utilise educational institutions as voting centres for the upcoming municipal elections on February 8, the body said through a statement on Tuesday. As per an EC notice, of 1394 voting centres, 991 are located at schools. It is noteworthy that all voting centres in Ilam, Siraha, Ratna Nagar, Lekhnath, Tribhuvan Nagar and Tikapur municipalities are located at schools. The PPCC has condemned the government for violating international humanitarian laws by putting the educational institutes in harm’s way. — HNS

Girl trafficking

KATHMANDU: The National Network Against Girl Trafficking (NNAGT) has appealed the government authorities to provide primary health services to the prisoners of conscience and facilitate women detainees by allowing them to visit their families, a statement issued by the NNAGT here on Tuesday, said. The NNAGT has also condemned the sorry state of those deprived of basic human needs. — HNS

Appeal to Maoists

KATHMANDU: Various organisations have appealed to the Maoists to withdraw their call for a week-long bandh and show their respect for human rights of general public. The Thamel Tourism Development Board has informed that the tourists visiting the country have started returning home following the bandh. The National Human Rights Academy has also appealed for the withdrawal of the bandh, while the Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, Nepal has also called on the bandh organisers to withdraw their call for bandh. — RSS