Rajbiraj, June 8

Federation of Nepali Journalists Saptari chapter has deplored expulsion of journalists from a programme attended by Industry, Commerce and Supply Minister Matrika Prasad Yadav, today.

A discussion with chiefs of government offices in the district had been scheduled in the presence of Minister Yadav at the residence of Chief District Officer Surendra Poudel.

As the office chiefs were briefing the minister about the problems they were facing, Chief District Officer Poudel stood up and asked the journalists to leave

the room, saying their presence was preventing the minister and the office chiefs from putting forth their views openly.

In the wake of the incident, FNJ Saptari chapter Vice-chairperson Shyam Sundar Yadav issued a press statement deploring the insulting behaviour meted out to journalists at the programme.

“Mediapersons were barred from attending the programme because they feared that issues being discussed would be made public by the media,”read the statement.

Yadav said the incident was an attempt to hide information of public importance and interest, and warned of a stern agitation if such incidents were repeated in the future.