FNJ condemns arrest of journos

January 27, 2006
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The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), an umbrella organization of working journalists, has condemned the continuous arrests and manhandling of journalists on Thursday.

A press statement issued by the FNJ said, “We condemn the force used to prohibit freedom of expression and urge the concerned sector to release all journalists, provide treatment to the injured journalists and punish the wrongdoers.”

Journalists Dil Bahadur Air of Dadeldhura and Shiva Patel of Birjung were arrested on Wednesday, the release said, adding that policemen attacked Madhav Aryal and Tulsi Ram Pande in Palpa and Ghanashyam Khadka, Pradip Kafle, Rhishiram Pokhrel and Narayan Khadka in Tanahu.

Security forces in Kathmandu manhandled journalists, took them into control, seized communication equipment from them, prohibited their movement and threatened some journalists following the publication and broadcast of news, the release states.

“In the capital also, there are reports of security men manhandling and intimidating journalists on the pretext of security checks, thus hampering the profession of the journalists,” the statement said.

FNJ has also called on the government to release all the arrested journalists immediately and unconditionally.