Kathmandu: A group of youths and journalists organised a rally in Kathmandu to protest against the alleged press freedom violations.
The protests came after police briefly detained three journalists last week and searched the newsrooms of several media organisations.
Dozens of protesters, wearing black and carrying placards, organised a rally at Maitighar Mandala.
They were carrying placards reading, Why intervention against media, Journalism is not a crime, and End suppression against media.
The protesters demanded press freedom, freedom of expression and protection of democratic rights.
Speaking at the rally, youth activist Puskar Bastola accused the Balendra Shah-led government of targeting the media, saying that efforts are being made to snatch people’s freedom of speech.
As the government is heading towards totalitarianism, we will remain continuously vigilant against such tendencies, he said
Some journalists were briefly detained last week after a few newspapers and online news portals published reports on Prime Minister Balendra Shah seeking the resignation of Nepal Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki for his alleged links to Inam Sapkota, who is in police custody on money laundering and indecent behaviour charges.
Karki was removed earlier this week, and Manoj Kumar KC has been appointed as inspector general.
