(FNJ/IFEX) - Newspapers at Nepalgunj, Banke, west of Nepal, have stopped publishing since 26 December 2006, following attacks on journalists who were reporting on the Terai Bandh (strike). The strike was called on 25 December by the Nepal Sadbhawana Party-Anandadevi (NSP-A) to express dissatisfaction over the recently signed interim Constitution for allegedly failing to meet the demands of the Madhesi people.
According to FNJ Banke President Prem KC, 10 daily newspapers are published in the district. Krishna Prasad Basyal, FNJ vice president, said "Janadesh Daily" is the only newspaper that has continued publishing since the attacks, under Maoist protection.
According to Jhalak Gaire, vice president of FNJ Banke chapter, correspondent of "Nepal Sacharpatra" and executive editor of "Kalpristha Daily", his newspaper was about to go to print on the evening of 26 December when workers received information that a mob was approaching the office, compelling them to stop production.
Gaire himself was attacked by NSP-A cadres on his way home on 25 December. The next day, NSP-A cadres attacked three journalists - Sama Thapa, correspondent of "Nepal Samacharpatra", Prabhat Devkota of "Satya Patra Daily" and Basanta Sharma of "Nispakcha Weekly" - while they were covering communal clashes sparked by the cadres' rampage through the streets to enforce the strike.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) issued a press release condemning the continuous attack on journalists and urging all to respect freedom of speech and expression of the media. Expressing its serious concern over the continuous attacks on media and journalists, FNJ has also urged the concerned authority to take immediate steps to ensure a safe, secure and adequate environment for journalists to carry out their responsibilities.
