Journalists, human rights activists and professionals continued their protests, expressing solidarity to the ongoing pro-democracy movement of the seven opposition parties, on Monday.

In Kathmandu, the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) carried out protest rally in the morning, demanding press freedom and immediate release of all detained journalists. Some 100 journalists participated in the demonstration organised in front of the FNJ central office at Tilganga.

Addressing the protest rally, FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri said journalists would continue to defy the prohibitory orders imposed by the ‘unconstitutional royal government’. He said journalists had support to the ongoing movement of the seven parties.

He informed that over 100 journalists were arrested while rallying for press freedom and freedom of expression in the last few days while over two dozen journalists are still in detention.

In Biratnagar, journalists carried out a protest rally demanding immediate release of four journalists arrested on Sunday. Similarly, journalists in Dang, Ilam, Banke and various other districts also organised protests, reports said.

Meanwhile, professionals including doctors and government employees have organised demonstrations in different parts of the country against the government clampdown on the seven-party movement.

Nepal Engineering Association organised a demonstration in front of Pulchowk Engineering Campus this afternoon in support of the pro-democracy movement. Reports said three students of the campus were injured during clash with the police.

In Lahan, Siraha district, doctors, teachers and human rights activists jointly organised a protest program this afternoon, according to reports. Employees of Nepal Telecom, Nepal Bank Limited, Rastriya Banijya Bank halted woks in their offices to express solidarity to the ongoing movement.

There are reports of government employees and bank officials in Rajbiraj of Saptari district boycotting works in their offices. Professional organisations carried out protest rallies in Tehrathum, Mahottari, Udaypur, Jhapa and several other districts.

However, no violent incidents were reported during these protests. nepalnews.com mk Apr 10 06