KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has condemned attack

on Rishi Ram Pokhrel, editor of Tanahun

Awaj weekly, also a central representative of the body.

Issuing a statement today, FNJ said the

attack and death threats issued to Pokhrel have drawn its serious attention.

Principal of Krishna Higher Secondary School and vice-president of Teachers’

Union , Dhruba Sigdel along with 20 other people had assaulted Pokhrel on April 4 after disputes flared up over formation of management committee in Saraswati Lower Secondary School at Gajarkot VDC. “Pokhrel was threatened with death by the group led by Sigdel,” said the statement.

FNJ has urged the government to take stern action against the perpetrators, cover Pokhrel’s treatment expenditures and make sure such acts are not repeated in the future.

Meanwhile, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry today took serious exception to obstruction in the distribution of Rajdhani daily in Kathmandu. “Such acts violate people’s right to information. We urge the concerned authorities to resolve the problems through talks,” said a statement issued by FNCCI. “The concerned political party should intervene in the matter and ask its cadres not to hinder publication and distribution of the newspaper,” it added.