The Hindu : International : Nepal detains media rights activists

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Sunday, Feb 06, 2005

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International

Nepal detains media rights activists

KATHMANDU, FEB. 5. Nepalese soldiers arrested two leaders of a media rights group, after authorities suspended press freedoms and warned it would take action against those who criticise it.

Taranath Dahal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, was detained on Saturday and Bishnu Nisthuri, the group's general secretary, on Friday, the organisation said in a statement. Officials refused to comment on the arrests.

The two men had been critical of the suspension of Nepal's press freedoms, which followed King Gyanendra on Tuesday dismissing the Government of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, declaring emergency rule and cutting all telephone and Internet lines, which were working again for about five hours on Saturday.

The Government also arrested four ministers of the ousted Sher Bahadur Deuba Cabinet.

The King accused the previous government of failing to organise parliamentary elections or control a Maoist insurgency, and pledged to do both himself within three years.

Dozens of politicians have been detained or put under house arrest and soldiers were posted at media offices to check all reports before they were published or broadcast.

World leaders denounced the sacking of the Government and said it would undermine democracy and set back the country's efforts to fight the insurgency.

King Gyanendra appointed a new pro-royal Government, which on Saturday announced it would crackdown on corruption and reduce poverty.

Many politicians in successive Governments over the past 14 years of democracy have been accused of bribery and corruption, with several resigning in disgrace. — AP

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