The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist has banned sales, distribution and reporting of Blast Times Daily, a popular daily in eastern Nepal in the district of Ilam.

A press release signed by the rebel organization’s Ilam district secretary Comrade Umesh which the FNJ secretariat received today has claimed that the newspaper has been carrying out a media campaign to malign the rebel leadership’s name.

It is noteworthy that the newspaper has already been the frequent target of the security forces. With this latest ban from the rebels, this has become a classic case that characterizes the double jeopardy of the Nepalese press from both the warring parties.

The FNJ secretariat condemned the Maoist action and termed it as a step to gag the voice of the Nepalese media. “This is nothing but a direct attack on the independent media,” said FNJ secretary Balaram Baniya. He also called on the Maoist leadership to retract its ‘action’ on Blast Times Daily and urged it not to repeat similar actions in the future.

In yet another development, Phanindra Silwal has been fired by the New Delhi-based Nepali language television channel Nepal 1. Banned in Nepal since the February 1 royal take over, the channel was carried by the Nepalese cable operators only from July 07.

Describing his plight to FNJ president Bishnu Nisthuri and secretary Balaram Baniya, Silwal said that the management of the channel sacked him under the pressure of the government while obtaining permission to re-broadcast its signal in Nepal. According to him, his employer bargained at his cost.

He also complained that he has not been paid for the last eight months. It has been discovered that Nepal 1 has warned Silwal of handing him over the security forces should he go public about his dismissal.

Till a few months back, Silwal used to be the pride of the television channel. He became a hero overnight of the Nepalese media when on November 16 he proved his mettle by shooting live Maoist action. On that fateful day, young rebel militia had staged a fierce attack on the government forces on the national highway not far from the capital. Ever since, he has carried the tag of being a Maoist from the security forces.

The FNJ has condemned the illegal dismissal of Silwal and demanded immediate payment of the due salaries to Silwal.