Nepal Govt directs Mahara to book attackers of Himalmedia

Kathmandu, Dec 24 (ANI): Nepal Cabinet today asked Minister for Information and Communications Krishna Bahadur Mahara to take action against those involved in the attack on Himalmedia.

According to Kantipur, Mahara will initiate the procedure following discussion with the representatives of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and assured that the culprits involved will be punished.

Meanwhile, Minister for Home Affairs Bamdev Gautam suggested the media personnel to be calm while performing demonstrations.

He said that the police were compelled to use force as the media personnel entered the prohibited zone.

He further said that the action procedure has not been proceeded as Himalmedia has not yet publicised its actual loss.

The government has been pressurised to take action after media organisations, rights activists, international media bodies, and foreign diplomats deplored the Maoists attack on Himalmedia.

On Tuesday, The alliances of publishers and editors of major media outlets in the country, have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the attack by Maoist workers on Himalmedia, and have launched a protest programme beginning with blank editorials in all member newspapers, television and radio news programmes.

"This is the first in a series of escalating protests that our media companies will launch if the current organised attacks on us by groups affiliated to the ruling party are not stopped immediately," the statement said.

"We feel the attack on Himalmedia and other media houses represent a serious threat to press freedom, democracy and pluralism in this country, and it is ironical that it should be perpetrated by a group affiliated to a party that won the election and leads the government," it added.

The Maoist affiliated All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers'' Union on Sunday attacked the staff of the Himalmedia, inflicting injuries to the journalists and vandalising the office. (ANI)