Journalists meet Home Minister demanding guarantee of security

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), the umbrella organisation of professional journalists in the country, on Monday submitted a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar protesting against attacks on journalists and press vehicles on the first day of bandh enforced by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities demanding identity-based federalism as promised.

A team of FNJ led by its president Shiva Gaunle reached the Home Ministry at Singha durbar and submitted the memorandum which also demanded guarantee of security to journalists, stopping all kinds of attacks against media persons and take stringent action against those involved in such attacks.

During the meeting, the journalists also expressed rage at the police administration for remaining a mute spectator when journalists were being attacked at various places in Kathmandu Valley on Sunday. Receiving the memo, Minister Gachchhadar apoligised for security lapses during Sunday’s bandh and police personnel failure to protect the journalists and their vehicles, and assured that he has personally directed the authorities to protect the journalists from targeted attacks.

Similarly, the Home Minister also assured that action will be taken against those involved in attacks on journalists.

In the memo, FNJ urged all concerned to correct their “anti-democratic” activities immediately and also demanded that the government ensure journalists' security and create an environment for covering news unhindered.

The memo also demanded free treatment of the injured media persons and to provide compensation for their damaged vehicles within 24 hours. nepalnews.com