Siraha, April 1:

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) today said some three dozen journalists were attacked at various places during the recent Madhes agitation. FNJ general secretary Mahendra Bista made public the data at an interaction programme organised by the Siraha chapter of the FNJ in Lahan.

Bista urged all sides to create an atmosphere for the free dissemination of information and urged the agitating forces to stop threatening, mentally torturing and assaulting journalists physically. He called upon them to help in free dissemination of news and information.

He regretted that the government was unable to guarantee the security of journalists though journalists have been displaced due to the Madhes agitation.

In 39 incidents, five media houses were attacked, 19 journalists were forced to displace, 14 press vehicles were vandalised and the publication of 53 papers was halted during the Madhes agitation, the data said.

Speaking at the interaction, journalist Dharmendra Jha said journalists were forced to face very difficult situations during the Madhes agitation.