Over 3 dozen professionals arrested in Nepal during protests

Kathmandu, Apr 5: Over 40 professionals including journalists, doctors,lawyers and teachers were arrested today during the peaceful demonstration in support of the four-day general strikes called by the main political parties from tomorrow.

Those arrested during the rally organised by Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD) included President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalist Bishnu Nishthuri, General Secretary Mahendra Bishta and Chairman of Nepal Bar Association Shambhu Thapa Gopal Thapaliya, President of SAFMA Nepal, who was injured during the protests is undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Model Hospital, Bagbazaar, the journalists association said.

Meanwhile, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the arrests and said the action of Kathmandu and Lalitpur administrations are in direct contradiction with their human rights obligations.

''The banning of all public demonstrations is in direct contradiction with Nepal's human rights obligations, which give Nepalese people the right to peaceful assembly,'' IFJ President Christopher Warren said in a statement issued here today.

''The use of force by police to break up a peaceful protest is excessive and beyond the call of duty,'' said Mr Warren.

In a separate incident, the government has arrested hundreds of students from various colleges in Kathmandu including several student leaders who have been in detention.

''We are calling for the immediate release of all those currently detained and for the police to refrain from arresting journalists exercising their right to protest peacefully.

Meanwhile, more than 40 party leaders and activists of seven political parties were detained from their houses today, the parties said.

UNI

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