Phidim, February 22

Two journalists from Panchthar and Ilam have padlocked the central office of Federation of Nepali Journalists and started a fast-unto-death at Sanchargram of Sinamangal, Kathmandu, from today.

FNJ Panchthar chapter Chairman Labdeb Dhungana and FNJ Ilam chapter member Prem Adhikari have put forth a charter of demands, including halting the distribution of membership on the basis of party lines. Other demands include action against central representatives Lucky Chaudhary and Khagendra Pant, and a probe into the government employees possessing FNJ membership.

Dhungana said he was forced to stage hunger strike as the FNJ centre had failed to approve 21 names selected by the Panchthar chapter unanimously and had tried to add members forcefully.

The agitators complained that FNJ Central chair Mahendra Bista, who reached his office after the hunger strike started, showed no interest in addressing their demands. Bista, however, refuted the allegation that the centre had tried to overturn the Panchthar chapter’s decision and urged the agitators to open the padlock.