Unified Communist Party of Nepal—Maoist (UCPN—Maoist) cadres torched copies of Nagarik and Republica dailies in various places across the country on May 28 for allegedly publishing the news reports claiming that Maoists kept Dr Bhakta Man Shrestha, Executive Director of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur, captive.
They also warned of blocking the newspapers circulation from tomorrow onwards in the eastern region of the country. Bhanu Mainali, a local leader of Maoists, phoned Amar Khadka, a reporter for Nagarik daily in eastern Sunsari district threatening that the latter will bear 'all sorts of consequences if newspaper gets distributed'.
Irate Maoist cadres torched the newspapers at New Baneshwor and New Road of Kathmandu.
Nagarik and Republica have published the news regarding the connection of Maoists in the case of missing doctor Shrestha on its Friday's edition.
Freedom Forum strongly condemns the sporadic incidents of arson across the country and threats given to the newspaper to obstruct circulation. Nepali law and code of ethics have provided clear legal remedies if press defame anybody. It is unfortunate that Maoists cadres and leaders have taken the way of intimidating journalists despite the provision of legal remedy.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022