Strike called by ethnic communities goes violent

The demonstrators set fire to a motorcycle in kathmandu

KATHMANDU — Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), the umbrella organization of Nepal’s journalists, have expressed its serious concerns about the manhandling of the journalists, vandalizing of their vehicles misbehaviors meted out against them on the first and second days of the three-day general strike called by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities.

The powerful organization of the journalists that was a key component of the 2006 Uprising also condemned the attacks and criticized the government for failing to provide security to the journalists.

In press statements issued Sunday and Monday, the FNJ also demanded compensation to the damaged caused to the vehicles of the media houses and persons and timely treatment to the injured journalists.

The NFIN has called the nationwide strike demanding that the state restructuring should be done on the basis of ethnicity.

Photo journalist Ashok Dulal receives treatment at a hospital after being thrashed by strike organizers. (Photo: Biaksh Dware)

As Nepal is a home to over 110 ethnic communities, almost all ethnic group have been demanding creation of a separate federal provinces when only a week is left to promulgate the new constitution.

The NFIN activists had misbehaved over 25 journalists Sunday whereas on Monday they beat up six journalists including females across the country. They also set fire to several motorcycles of the journalists and cars belonging to the media houses.

In the press statement bearing the signature of its general secretary Om Sharma, FNJ demanded control of such anti democratic activities.