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Speaker Devraj Ghimire has extended his best wishes for goodwill, peace, stability and mutual understanding among all Nepali people. 

In a message of best wishes today, Speaker Ghimire extended best wishes to the entire Nepali Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. 

He expressed the belief that such festivals would further strengthen mutual unity, reconciliation and religious tolerance. "May the grand festival, which comes after the practice of fasting, spiritual purity, self-restraint and charity during the month of Ramadan, bring happiness, peace and prosperity to all", reads the message. 

The tradition of strengthening the relationship between the communities has made this festival more meaningful, the Speaker noted in the message. 

"Nepal is a country with multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural diversity and the Constitution has ensured religious freedom by respecting all religions, cultures and traditions", the message further stated. 

Muslims across the country are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with zest and zeal today.

The great festival of the Islamic community is being observed with great gaiety and gusto by reciting special Namaz, offering prayers in mosques, receiving blessings from the elders and giving blessings to juniors.

The festival marks the conclusion of a month-long fasting of the Muslims during the month of Ramadan, falls on the first day of the tenth month according to the Arabic calendar.

In Muslim religion, there are five pillars namely 'Roza', 'Zakat', 'Hajj', 'Namaz' and 'Kalama'.

On this day, Muslims devotees converge mainly in the mosque or any outdoor location in the early morning for Eid prayer and break their fast feasting on delicacies.

Families and friends gather to mark the end of a month-long fast 'Ramadan' and exchange Eid Mubarak (greetings) as well as gifts.

According to the National Census-2078, the Muslim community shares 5.9 percent of the total population of Nepal. Noting the data was incomplete, he said the commission was planning to study the social, economic, political, cultural and educational conditions of the Muslim community and submit the actual details to the government.

Although there is a mosque for Muslims in Kathmandu, it lacks spacious meeting halls to offer Namaz and for cultural activities together, he complained.

The violent arson attack on the headquarters of Annapurna Media Network (AMN) is a direct assault on press freedom and democracy. Had the police and security forces not acted swiftly, the situation could have escalated into a devastating tragedy.

Supporters of the pro-monarchy movement stormed our offices, reportedly acting on direct instructions from certain leaders. Their rampage led to extensive vandalism and arson, causing significant damage to our building and infrastructure. Both domestic and international stakeholders must take note—this was not a mere protest but a deliberate attack on independent journalism. Even during the Maoist insurgency and King Gyanendra Shah’s suppression of democracy in 2005, we did not face such a blatant act of violence.

Nepal’s Constitution guarantees press freedom, ranking among the highest in South Asia. However, in practice, independent media houses like ours are facing increasing threats, intimidation, and harassment. These pressures have led to a growing environment of self-censorship. Despite any imperfections, for over three decades, Nepali independent media has exposed corruption, highlighted irregularities, and held those in power accountable. We have consistently defended sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law—positions that make us a target for corrupt, autocratic, and extremist groups.

We acknowledge concerns regarding media accuracy, balance, and credibility and remain committed to upholding journalistic integrity. However, maintaining ethical journalism does not mean staying silent in the face of such attacks. The events of March 29 were not just an attack on AMN but on the very foundation of democracy. If anyone attempts to silence us through violence, we will respond with our strongest weapon—our words, not force. We stand for peaceful political discourse and pluralism but caution the government against suppressing civil and political rights. There is a clear distinction between political activism and terror activities, and what transpired in Tinkune was an act of creating terror, not politics.

While it may be difficult to establish a direct link between this attack and former king Gyanendra, politically, the connection is evident. On Democracy Day (Falgun 7), he urged the public to support him, triggering a wave of protests. A day before the attack, on March 28, he met with key figures of the movement. Given his history—when he seized power on February 1, 2005, and brutally suppressed press freedom—we have every reason to question his commitment to democracy, freedom of speech, and civil liberties. He must clarify his position regarding these incidents.

This is not the first attack we have endured. Over the past three decades, we have faced threats during the Maoist insurgency, the Madhes movement, and Gyanendra’s direct rule. Even in recent months, political parties like the Rastriya Swatantra Party have attempted to intimidate us for exposing financial misconduct.

In a democracy, every citizen has the right to engage in politics, seek governance, and shape public opinion, but these rights must be exercised peacefully and within the law. No individual or group is above the democratic system, and violence has no place in political discourse. Annapurna Media Network has always stood at the forefront of defending democracy and ensuring political accountability. No amount of intimidation will deter us from our mission. We firmly believe that democracy and republicanism are the ultimate safeguards of press freedom, human rights, and civil liberties—and we will continue to uphold these values, no matter the cost.

The silence of the international community on this blatant attack on press freedom is deeply concerning. At a time when democratic values are under threat, their failure to condemn such violence only emboldens those who seek to suppress the press.

Kamal Dev Bhattarai 

Editor 

Various organizations have condemned the vandalism and violence during the Friday's demonstrations by the supporters of ex-king Gyanendra Shah. 

They decried the losses of property and human lives in the course of the demonstrations followed by vandalism, attacks and arson in Tinkune of Kathmandu on March 28. 

They have demanded bringing those responsible for such inhumane incidents to justice with due compensations for the losses. 

Issuing a press statement today, the Democratic Thought Society said, "Such violent demonstrations are against the democratic standards and thus condemnable, and punishable by law." 

Similarly, the  Nepal Chamber of Commerce termed that such activities are also capable of negatively affecting the nation's economy. 

The Human Rights and Peace Society condemned the incident, stating: "The restoration of monarchy is impossible in the country as civic supremacy and freedom is the lifeline of democracy." 

The call to restore monarchy is against human civilization and freedom, the Society concluded. 

It may be noted that video journalist Suresh Rajak was killed in an incident of arson at a private house during the demonstration in Tinkune. In addition to the killing of Rajak, demonstrators also vandalized the Annapurna Media Group building at Tinkune, set it on fire, attempted a forced entry into the Kantipur Television building, and threw stones, causing terror in the newsroom. A vehicle owned by Himalayan Television was also damaged.

Similarly, as stated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, person indentified as Sabin Maharjan of Kirtipur was killed and 35 others injured in clashes with police during the violent demonstration organized by the supporters of the ex-king in the federal capital.

The 13th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Working Group (JWG) on Border Management (BM) was held in Pokhara, Nepal on March 27-28.

In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the decisions taken in the last JWG on BM that took place in New Delhi on 15-16 June 2022, particularly with respect to repair and maintenance of border pillars.

They also deliberated on issues related to trans-border criminal activities; strengthening of border infrastructure particularly ICPs, roads and railway-network; empowerment and capacity building of various security-related institutions; and ways to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.

The JWG on BM also reviewed progress on concluding the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the working of Border District Coordination Committee (BDCC) between the two sides.

The two sides agreed to ensure that the meetings of the JWG on BM are held regularly.

The Indian delegation extended an invitation to the Nepali delegation for the next JWG on BM to be held in India next year. Mihir Kumar, joint-secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, led the Indian delegation while Ramchandra Tiwari, joint-secretary (Security and Coordination), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal, led the Nepali side. 

The UK would not hesitate to retaliate against US tariffs if needed, according to Downing Street sources, BBC reported.

The government is in last-minute negotiations with the White House ahead of a 25% tax on car imports and threats of wider tariffs on other goods on 2 April. 

It is trying to get an exemption, arguing that - unlike other countries - the UK has a relatively equal trading relationship with the US. The prime minister has said he does not want to jump into a trade war.

US President Donald Trump has introduced a series of tariffs targeting goods from other countries, arguing the measures will help American manufacturers and protect jobs despite warnings prices could go up for consumers, according to BBC.

The second hunting season of this year has begun in Dhorpatan, the only hunting reserve in Nepal. In the second season, 35 wild animals including 13 Naur (himlayan blue sheep), 10 Jharal (himalayan thar) and 12 wild boars are going to be hunted.

 The Department of Wildlife and National Parks had called for bids for hunting in early February.

Six companies, including Himalayan Wildlife Outfits Pvt. Ltd., Tracks and Trails Pvt. Ltd., Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd., Global Safaris Nepal, Nepal Travel Expeditions and Open Nepal Wildlife Safaris, have received permission to hunt in the second season. 

Meanwhile, hunters who have received permission from the Department have started arriving to hunt in various blocks of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

Ranger Sagar Subedi of the Reserve Office shared that for the second season hunters will be allowed to hunt until the end of April. He said that only two Naurs have been hunted so far. One of the Naur was hunted by 70-year-old Marcos Olaizola Alcorta from Spain in the Sundaha block.

Hunters from the US, Argentina, Spain and France have come for this hunting season. The price for the permit to hunt the wild animals in the reserve range between Rs. 800,000 to Rs. 625,500 per animal.

Chief Conservation Officer of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Chandrashekhar Chaudhary. said that Rs. 12.6 million in revenue has been collected in the second season.

 Hunting is open in Dhorpatan in two seasons every year. The first season falls in Asoj-Mangsir and the second in Falgun-Baishakh in the lunar calendar.

The weather at present is partly cloudy in the hilly parts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and clear in the rest of the country.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Department, this afternoon, the hilly parts of the country will remain partly cloudy while the weather will be clear in the rest of the country. 

There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning in one or two places in the hilly parts of Koshi and Gandaki provinces. Furthermore, there is a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous region of the two provinces.

Tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly cloudy in the hilly parts of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces and remain clear in the rest of the country, adds the Department.