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PM blames 'party infiltrators' behind Himalmedia assault, assures probe into the incident
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday denied any direct involvement of Maoist party in the assault on Himalmedia Sunday and claimed that "some immoral agents" who have "infiltrated" into the Maoist party and ranks were in fact involved it.
He also expressed commitment that the government will probe the incident and take action against those involved in the attack.
In a meeting with leaders of the civil society at his official residence in Baluwatar Monday morning, PM Dahal expressed sadness over the incident and urged everyone to fight against these "infiltrators" with determination and that they will have all the support needed [in this] from the government.
Representatives of Kathmandu based Model Hospital were also in the civil society group that had gone to meet PM Dahal to raise concern about the problems Maoist-aligned workers' union have created in Model Hospital and Sunday's attack on Himalmedia by Maoist-aligned trade unions.
"There are people who in the guise of the Maoists are engaged in giving a bad name to the party," he said, adding "our party is constantly struggling to rid the party off these elements."
PM Dahal, addressing a function by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Jiri, Monday, said that he has already instructed to catch those involved in attacking media.
"Yesterday I instructed Home Minister to do everything to catch the culprits whoever they may be. Today, I called Information Minister and gave him similar instruction," he said.
Meanwhile, Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) has called the assault by Maoist aligned trade unions on Himalmedia as a "naked aggression" against press freedom and strongly condemned the "brutal attack" on the media house and media persons.
Talking to Nepalnews.com, Poshan K.C, general secretary of FNJ, said that the attack against the press that fought for freedom and democracy in the country alongside political parties by cadres of very party that is in power openly flouts the government's commitment to freedom of expression.
K.C said that FNJ has repeatedly called upon the government to guarantee protection to media houses and media persons in the past "but incidents of assaults [against the media] have occurred in appalling regularity".
"What this shows is that the government appears not to take the matter seriously, so we have been left no with no option but to take to the streets," he said, adding that FNJ is planning to organise a rally in the capital today to protest the incident. nepalnews.com ag Dec 22 08