Kathmandu, June 25 (PTI): Expressing concern over press freedom in Nepal following the abduction of a scribe, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the government to intervene into the matter.

"With constant kidnappings and evident repression of the media in Nepal, we urge the government to step forward and resolve these dilemmas," IFJ Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

The federation's statement came days after a Nepalese journalist, Hridayaraj Gautam, was kidnapped by unknown persons on June 20 and his whereabout still remains unknown.

According to IFJ, Gautam, the editor of Khulamanch weekly, was taken away forcibly from his home by two armed assailants.

"We strongly oppose these violent and illegal measures taken to disrupt a free media in Nepal," Park said.

"It is disturbing that despite political concessions to protect press freedom, other groups are still interfering, often violently, with independent media and compromising journalists' safety," she said and demanded a swift and thorough probe into the disappearance of Gautam.

Meanwhile, a leading publication in the country which had last week halted printing of two dailies -- Nepal Samacharpatra and Mahanagar -- resumed publication today.

The Kamana publication had suspended work after newspaper hawkers were asked to join the Maoist-affiliated workers union, affecting distribution of the leading dailies.