NEPAL: Maoists ban news reporting in Rukkum

According to Maoist official, reporters should obtain permission to gather news in district

Nepal News
Friday, November 5, 2004

The Maoists reportedly have imposed a ban on news reporting by journalists in some VDCs of the mid western district of Rukkum. Rukkum is regarded one of the strongholds of the Maoists.

The ban follows the Maoist decision to declare the VDCs a ‘special area’ of the underground party, reports citing Maoist district secretary Bishal said. The ban is imposed on Chunbang, Mahat, Rammamaikot, Pwang and Purtimdanda VDCs.

Moreover, according to the Maoist district secretary, the Maoists have asked the reporters to obtain permission of the ‘people’s government’ before traveling to any part of the district for collecting news