Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 5:

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Bar Association (NBA) have condemned baton-charge on journalists covering the demonstration being organised by the pro-democratic five-party alliance. “FNJ is seriously concerned over the security of the journalists from the indiscriminate behaviour of the police,” stated FNJ. The FNJ also expressed its concern over the entry of police into several publishing houses and thrashing of journalists there.

Ram Chandra Basnet, a correspondent of Sanghu, Satya Narayan Shrestha, a photo journalist of Channel Nepal, Shiva Lamshal of Nepal Press Union and several other jounalists including Sundar Shrestha and Sagar Shrestha were thrashed by the police despite their showing press identity cards during while they were covering the news of the five-party agitation. Likewise, the NBA has condemned the police atrocity against the peaceful demonstrators by firing tear gas shells, rubber bullets and baton-charging. “NBA urges the government not to interfere the Constitutional rights of peaceful demonstration by people who abide by the spirit of rule of law,” stated a press statement issued here today. Similarly, Centre for Victims of Torture of Nepal (CIVICT) has condemned the police action of entering Kathmandu Model hospital and adversely affecting the hospital environment. “The security forces should not have entered the hospital premises adversely affecting the environment there in the name of security,” stated the release. Meanwhile, former ambassadors expressed serious concern over the increasing violence in the country. The former ambassadors Nilambar Acharya, Dr Lok Raj Baral, Prof Harsha Narayan Dhaubhadel, Kedar Mathema, Rajeswar Acharya and Prof Dr Jaya Raj Acharya have denounced the excessive use of force by the security forces over the protesters on the street in the recent days. The diplomats have called upon the government to find a amicable solution to the current political impasse and restore democratic process.

Also today Independent Transport Workers Association of Nepal expressed its concern over the government’s attack on the activists of the pro-democratic five-parties who are protesting ‘to return the democracy’.