October 26, 2005 - Some 15 organizations including political parties, human rights forums/activists, lawyers, teachers, students and independent intellectuals in Bardiya district, Wednesday, jointly condemned the government attack on Kantipur FM on Friday. Issuing a joint press release, the organizations expressed solidarity with the protest program launched by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) and called upon all for further support.

Representatives of NGO Federation, Nepal Bar Association, Jana Kendrit Bikas Manch, Tharu Mahila Utthan Kendra, Community Forest Consumers' Federation, Disabled Rehabilitation Centre Bardiya, Suryodaya Jan Samaj Bikas, Srijana Aama Samuha, Nari Kalyan Samiti, Jan Bikas Samuha, Human Rights Development Forum, Nari Shilpakala Kendra and others issued the release.

Speaking at a separate program in Gulariya of Bardiya district ,Central Member of CPN-UML Ishwor Pokharel, said on Wednesday that the government demonstrated its real nature by seizing radio equipment at gunpoint from Kantipur FM at midnight on Friday. Addressing a party meeting, Pokharel informed that his party would protest against the 'anti-people media ordinance.' Advisor of CPN-UML Govinda Gyawali also denounced the state attack on KFM.

Meanwhile, a report from Simikot stated that Humla chapter of the FNJ, Wednesday, condemned the government raid at midnight on the FM.

Our correspondent from Dharan reports that people from all walks of life in the eastern region were worried as they were deprived of listening to independent news due to the attack on the FM station.

Talking to the Post, industrialists, teachers, students, players, artists, among others, expressed their concern over the incident.

Chairman of Sunsari chapter of the Gurkha Army Ex-servicemen's Organization (GAESO,) Bhakta Sare Rai, Kishor Shrestha of FNCCI Sunsari, Principal of Holyland International School Dharan, Bhakta Meyangbo; Vice Chairman of All Nepal Football Association Kishor Rai; and others expressed concern over the end to the news broadcast across the region.

Likewise, Forum for the Right Nepal (FORNEP), issuing an statement in the capital Wednesday, also condemned the government attack.

source: http://kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=55537