Cadres of ruling party CPN-UML’s youth wing Youth Force (YF) “ransacked office building” of Birgunj-based Ankush Daily, “torching around 2500 copies” of today’s edition and official properties, and manhandling accountant at Ghantaghar, Birgunj in central region of Nepal on December 23, morning.
A group led by Youth Force, Parsa District President Ajaya Kusuwaha resorted to violent attack and hooliganism in the office taking up the issue of news coverage in December 21’s edition.
The edition covers a news exposing involvement of CPN-UML Constituent Assembly (CA) Member along with high-ranking police officers in fake note smuggling based on explanation of Sajid Ansari held by police in connection with this illegal business.
Freedom Forum termed this assault as an “irresponsible and brutal act” meant to gag press freedom and media right to impart objective information. The Forum urges government to bring perpetrators to book and provide compensation to the victim, and asks CPN-UML to pay due respect to constitutionally-guaranteed free press and freedom of expression.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022