FNJ urges agitators to respect rights of press

The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has urged all agitators to respect the rights of press and allow journalists to carry out their duty by letting them gather news independently.

In a statement issued by FNJ general secretary Mahendra Bista, the federation has appealed to all concerned to refrain from targeting journalists or pour out their frustrations upon them.

The statement was issued in the wake of fresh attacks against journalists. In Rajbiraj of Saptari district, activists of Tharu Kalyankari Sabha have attacked Shiva Narayan Shah, publisher of Rajbiraj Today and Dharma Raut, its marketing manager.

Likewise, in Pathari of Morang, a journalist Krishna Bhattarai was assaulted by an irate crowd. Pathari locals and Bhutanese refugee living in Shanishchare camp had violent clashes over the encroachment of community forestry by the refugees. The clashes have left one refugee and one local dead. nepalnews.com sd Feb 25 07