The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed concerns over the continued attacks on journalists in Nepal even after the end of insurgency.

IFJ, on Wednesday, referred to the attack on Lokshari Kuwar, the editor/publisher of Morning Bell daily, by three men in Dhangadi as retribution for articles Kuwar had written about timber smuggling, prostitution and illegal exporting and importing of goods along the Indian border.

“The nation of Nepal as a whole is working hard to try to ensure basic democratic freedoms and these attacks are slowing that process considerably,” IFJ President Christopher Warren said.

Likewise, the IFJ flayed the attack on a Radio Nepal journalist Yuvraj Adhikari by members of the Maoist-affiliate Young Communist League (YCL) on May 2 while reporting a clash at Kusumba market in Bardiya district.

The statement said Adhikary received threats from the YCL through phones saying he could be abducted or killed at any time.

Likewise, the IFJ welcomed news of an agreement reached between Nepal 1 Television employees and management on May 7, ending three-week long protest programmes.

“The determination and resolve of the employees of Nepal 1 Television in the face of such adversity is commendable, and it is very encouraging to see that they have been successful in their fight for a fair working environment,” Warren said.

“This victory signifies that journalists in Nepal are not going to endure being mistreated by their employers on top of being attacked and threatened by the violent groups they report on out in the field,” he said.