Leaders and journalists accuse Maoists of duplicity

Kathmandu, Oct 18: Maoists in Nepal have been accused by political leaders and media experts of violating their commitment towards a democratic system and press freedom.

The Maoist activities have created one crisis after another in the political as well as media circle, Kantipur news quoted CPN-UML leader Raghuji Pant as saying.

''The problems became complicated as the Maoists kept on challenging the worldwide norms and principles of democratic systems,'' he said.

The Maoists need to give up their totalitarian and autocratic nature, Mr Pant said adding, ''It is entirely a problem of political ideology.'' He claimed that attacks on media houses and journalists including the latest incident of the abduction and disappearance of Birendra Sah was part of that policy.

He also blamed the government and the home administration for failing to provide security to the press and people.

Nepali Congress leader Hom Nath Dahal alleged that the Maoists had breached the comprehensive peace agreement.

''They have regularly been violating their stated commitment toward press freedom,'' Mr Dahal said. ''I am surprised to hear senior Maoist leaders say they had no faith even in the Constituent Assembly. Then what have they been fighting for,'' he sought to know.

Chairman of Nepal Press Council Rajendra Dahal expressed serious concern over the emergency trend of threats to Nepali media that resulted in media persons exercising self-censorship.

UNI