Armed group abducts three in Terai

Armed men with the little known Rajan Mukti faction of the Terai Janatantrik Morcha abducted one Rajaram Kapar, who runs a medical store at Singiyahi-2 of Mahottari district on Wednesday.

Reports quoting police said that about a dozen armed men abducted Kapar from his shop Wednesday night.

District in charge of the group, Bikash, has already taken responsibility for the incident in a phone call to local media.

Meanwhile, in Parsa, an unidentified armed group abducted Motilal Sah of Maniyari Thursday.

Police suspect that the group had abducted Sah for ransom and said they are looking for the abductors.

The family of the victim has appealed for his safe release.

Similarly, another unidentified group abducted Parmeshwor Shrestha, a resident of Dhangadi VDC-5, Siraha district, from his residence on Tuesday.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for Shrestha’s immediate and unconditional release.

Meanwhile, a previously unheard Terai Rastriya Mukti Sena has warned two Nepali vernacular weeklies published from Dhanusha district to stop publishing news in Nepali language.

Editors of Sirish and Janasaugat weeklies said that someone named Baba Khan, who claimed to be from the group, called them on their mobiles and warned them of physical action if they do not stop publishing the papers in Nepali immediately.

In a similar report, Terai National Liberation Army (TNLA) threatened local journalists working in Janakpur district to close all newspapers and radio programmes broadcasting in Nepali language.

In-charge of TNLA eastern region Akash Tyagi issued a written threat to all journalists of the district to stop the publication and broadcast of news in Nepali language. He also warned of physical actions to those journalists and media houses that go against their instructions.

Freedom Forum has condemned the incident, terming it a serious threat against journalists right to freedom of expression and people's right to receive information.

The Forum has also asked the government to interfere on such cases so as to ensure congenial environment for journalists and calls for solidarity from individuals and organizations to raise voice against such threats and intimidations. nepalnews.com Aug 08 08