INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Kathmandu, September 16
Federation of Nepali Journalists issued a press release condemning the arrest of nine journalists, including its
secretary and central committee members who were held from the premises of Radio Nepal inside Singha Durbar today after their talk with the
Radio Nepal administration failed.
FNJ office bearers had gone to hold dialogue with Radio Nepal administration seeking reinstatement of
three journalists — Prakash Bahadur Bam, Chakra Kunwar and Sunita Rawal — who were working for Radio Nepal Dipayal Transmission for
years, but were ‘arbitrarily& sacked by Radio Nepal administration.
Among the arrested journalists are FNJ Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal, FNJ
centre committee members Yam Birahi, Janmadev Jaisi, Min Bam, FNJ Doti Chapter Chair Yogendra Balayar and other journalists Ajay Babu
Siwakoti, Dilip Paudel, Prakash Bahadur Bam and Chakra Kunwar.
These journalists were arrested from Radio Nepal premises in Singha Durbar
when some of the them tried to padlock the office after their talks with Executive Director of Radio Nepal Suresh Kumar Karki failed.
FNJ
said journalists were arrested by police from the premises of Radio Nepal while they were returning to their offices after a failed
negotiation with Radio Nepal administration.
FNJ also objected to heavy deployment of security personnel on the premises of Radio Nepal
FNJ said arrest of those journalists, who were holding talks to resolve the working journalists& problems, was a violation of labour rights
and freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Nepali Congress and its parliamentary party also issued a press release condemning
the arrest of journalists.
Stating that journalism was the foundation of democracy, NC parliamentary party said NC would always stand in
favour of independent free press
The NC party and its parliamentary party demanded reinstatement of the sacked journalists.
FNJ central committee member Yam Birahi said
Radio Nepal Dipayal Transmission Centre sacked journalists, who had worked for 13 to 14 years , without giving them a chance to be
heard.
&FNJ is fighting for the sacked journalists as they are victims of arbitrary action of Radio Nepal,& Birahi said and added that the
sacked journalists had staged a sit-in in Dipayal for almost two weeks, but they came to Kathmandu after their grievances were not
addressed.
&Radio Nepal administration sacked these journalists to recruit the ruling party loyalists,& Birahi added
He said talks with Radio Nepal failed today as the executive director of Radio Nepal refused to reinstate the sacked journalists.
The
arrested journalists were later released from custody in the evening.
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