We are in a situation of extreme crisis that the royal regime has imposed a curfew (Red Alert) yesterday the whole day from
Life in the capital has affected badly and all we were captured in the place where we were. We all rights activists are in a threat from the state security force.
All cell phone and wire less phone has cut down. Telephone lines of the residence of political leaders has blocked and more than two hundred leader and political activists including rights activists and student leaders has already arrested and detained. Five top political party chief are in house arrest. Those political leaders and activists who were arrested on 18 and 19 of January have received an order slips for three months long detention. More then two hundred twenty five porters who came to an agitation against the imposition of curfew order.
The pre announced rally and mass meeting of seven Democratic Party has not took place and postponed for today because of imposition of curfew. But nationwide agitation has occurred against the curfew order in
Restriction over the media has started. The two prominent Indian television news channels (Star news and Aajtak) are restricted from yesterday, the mid day through local cable operators in the verbal order of the ministry of information and communication. Other channels who are covering Nepalese issue may be restricted any time.
Two journalist (Shyam Shrestha- Editor of Mulankan Monthly Magazine and Dwarika Upreti- Publisher of Roadmap Vernacular weekly), were actively involved in democratic movement were arrested on 19th January form their residence.
Two international journalists reporter of CNN Television and Star News who has recorded a clip of video interview with Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal- General Secretary of CPN UML was in home arrest. The police seized their recorded tape. Police also seized photos of the detained leaders has captured by two other local photojournalist at Banepa in Kavre yesterday and manhandling them by police.
Detention centres are completely out of reach of media and relatives and local human rights organizations.
Field reporting is almost impossible in the street and restricted zones. Because of the telephone curtail the information channels are very limited. ISPs are in vigilance so local email ID and web sites are in insecure.
Lacking of news and advertise and other complications many of the news papers has cutting their pages at least 50 percent. Distribution of the news papers are also very difficult because of the imposition of curfew order in prominent highway and blocked in the highway by state security force.
We are disseminating our INS (Independent News Service) on safe way. Yesterday we disseminated four editions of e-bulletin of INS. We are still working and sending our bulletin even in Saturday, the holiday. When ever we can we are committed to make it continue.
Media has not received direct control or, threat so with some dedicated FM station we are broadcasting flash news.
Situation in capital is one of completely anarchy so I can not say what may happen in future.
Taranath Dahal, Chairperson,
Freedom Forum