As the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) was observing the ‘Freedom of Expression Day’ Wednesday calling for lifting of all restrictions on Nepali media, Kathmandu police have summoned Narayan Wagle, editor of Kantipur–the largest circulating private sector daily in the country– to its office early Thursday.

Police handed over letter to Wagle Wednesday evening saying that he should report to the District Police Office at Hanumandhoka at 9:00 a. m. on Thursday.

The letter said Wagle had been summoned to the police station, as “some clarification was needed in relation to a story published in the newspaper on Tuesday.” The letter, however, did not mention which story it was referring to.

Sources say the police may inquire Wagle about the front-page report in Tuesday’s paper, which said that 750 protesters around the country were detained on Monday while taking part in peaceful demonstrations calling for restoration of peace and democracy in the country.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Home Ministry refuted the reports and claimed that some Kathmandu-based newspapers had exaggerated the figure of arrests.

All the major dailies and BBC Nepali Service had reported that at least five hundred protesters were detained in southern town of Janakpur alone. Police later released over 400 protesters while it issued detention orders for three months to 51 activists affiliated to five opposition parties.

Chief District Officer of Kathmandu had summoned editors of half a dozen weeklies seeking clarification from them regarding news items published in their papers as well as their act of leaving the op-ed page blank.

But this is the first time that police have summoned the editor of the most influential daily newspaper in the country that is known for its editorial independence and critical judgment.

The government’s latest move has come when over 5,000 delegates from around the world are watching latest developments in Nepal from close quarters in the on-going 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

“The next two weeks will be crucial for Nepal,” Jorg Frieden, country director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) told journalists in Kathmandu Tuesday, referring to the on-going UN session in the Swiss capital.