Maoist, UML cadres vandalise newspaper offices

KATHMANDU: Cadres of UCPN-Maoist and ruling CPN-UML in Nepal have allegedly vandalised newspaper offices and assaulted journalists for publishing news reports against their parties.

Cadres of the Youth Force, a wing of the ruling CPN-UML, vandalised the office of the Janasambad daily in Jhapa district, the Freedom Forum, an NGO monitoring press freedom, alleged.

Separately, the Maoists assaulted some staffers of the Sudursandesh daily being published from Dhangadhi in western Nepal for allegedly publishing anti-Maoist news reports.

Around 10 Maoists cadres stormed into the office the paper in search of the editor and then started attacking other staff indiscriminately, the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, Federation of Nepalese Journalists said it would stage protest in the district against the attacks.