KATHMANDU, Jan 14: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on Wednesday said that it would not hold any talks with the government unless it brought Uma Singh´s murderers to justice.
He also said the FNJ was no longer bound with to honor the December 29 agreement with the government on not carrying our further protest programs.
"We have the first and the last condition -- book Uma´s murderers immediately," said FNJ chairperson Dharmendra at a rally organized by Working Women Journalists and Sancharika Samuha at Maitighar Mandala in the capital to pay respects to the slain radio journalist.
Jha said that journalists and their profession were coming under frequent attacks while the government has only been providing empty assurances of taking action against attackers and unable to protect journalists from attacks. Jha also warned of continuing protests until the murderers were punished and urged publishers, editors, reporters and other media staff not to attach any other issue with the campaign.
Sangita Lama of WWJ and Babita Basnet of Sancharika Samuha said if the insecurity of journalists, particularly of women journalists, continued, no parent would allow their daughters (and sons) to join the profession of journalism.
Earlier, the rally jointly convened by Working Women Journalists and Sancharika Samuha started from New Baneshwar and later converged into a gathering at Maitighar Mandala after breaking a police cordon.
Demonstrations in the area are prohibited.
Uma was hacked to death in her residence in Janakpur on Sunday by about 15 unidentified armed men. The police claim they have arrested four men in connection with the murder. They have not revealed their identity, citing pending investigation.
Meanwhile, Federation of Nepali Journalists has announced a five-day protest beginning Wednesday to denounce the killing of radio journalist Uma Singh and pressure the government into carrying out a thorough investigation into the incident.
As part of the protest, the umbrella forum of journalists submitted a memorandum to Constituent Assembly Chairman Subas Nembang Wednesday evening, demanding a parliamentary probe into Singh´s murder.
Concerned over security of journalists working in the Tarai in the aftermath of Singh’s killing, FNJ has planned to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and hand over a memorandum.
Similarly, FNJ is also holding discussion with editors of different newspapers, professionals, politicians and civil society members over the next five days to discuss the murder and overall security of journalists, especially working in Tarai districts.
“We will organize a protest rally in Kathmandu on Sunday,” said FNJ General Secretary Poshan KC.
In the meantime, FNJ said its protests would continue until the government prosecutes the perpetrators.
Similarly, FNJ has expressed concern over security of Uma Singh´s mother. “She was concerned about her won security. So, I urged the government to ensure her safety,” said FNJ Chairman Dharmendra Jha.
Jha also demanded the government probe the incident impartially and punish the attackers.
FNJ announces nationwide protest against ‘murder’ of a journali...
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