Kathmandu: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) protested outside the Kathmandu police office on Thursday, demanding the unconditional release of journalist Kishor Shrestha.
FNJ President Nirmala Sharma led the demonstration. Police and journalists scuffled briefly.
Journalists grew angry after police stopped them from holding a peaceful sit in. They shouted slogans, including “Down with police repression!” and “Stop state terror!”
Many wore black armbands, saying the government was interfering with press freedom. Their placards read “Restore press freedom,” “Release journalist Kishor Shrestha unconditionally,” and “You cannot silence the press by scaring journalists.” Some carried lit lanterns.
Police arrested Shrestha, editor in chief of the weekly Jana Aastha, on Wednesday. He is under investigation, police said, for allegedly violating the Privacy Act, 2075 (2018).
On Thursday morning, a police team searched the Jana Aastha office.
The FNJ has condemned both the arrest and the search. Sharma and a group of journalists had already protested outside the Kathmandu police office on Wednesday night.
The federation says it will launch a strong movement if Shrestha is not released unconditionally.
Shrestha is a former president of the Press Council Nepal and a former general secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists. He also serves as senior vice president of the World Press Council. Known for investigative journalism, he has built a reputation as a bold, fearless reporter.
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