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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 

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. 

Media rights body have condemned the attacks upon Annapurna Media Network, other media outlets and journalists in Nepal. 

Issuing a press statement, Freedom Forum said it has been saddened over several brutal incidents of press freedom violations including the death of a journalist and attack on another in the protest organized by pro-monarchy demonstrators in the federal capital, Kathmandu on March 28.

The protestors vandalized media houses, attacked media persons and killed a media person during the protest organized at Tinkune, Kathmandu. The pro-monarchist groups organized the demonstration, demanding restoration of monarchy and Hindu Kingdom. As the protestors breached the prohibited area, police clashed with them. Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to scatter the mob, but the situation took an ugly turn, Freedom Forum said.  

They hurled stones at media houses- the Annapurna Media Network and Kantipur Television at Tinkune area. They also set on fire the office of Annapurna Post. Glasses of windows in the buildings were broken in the incident, Freedom Forum said.  A photojournalist at Avenues Television, Suresh Rajak, died in a fire set on a building at Tinkune by the protestors.

 According to the fellow reporters on site, reporter Rajak was covering the protest from rooftop of the building which was set on fire by the protestors. Official confirmation is however, awaited. Similarly, reporter with the Onlinekhabar.com Dinesh Gautam was attacked by the protestors, breaking his leg, while he was taking pictures of the protestors. They also threw stones on the vehicle of Himalaya Television.

Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack upon media and journalists. Although everyone has the right to have peaceful protest guaranteed by constitution, such violent activities are deplorable. Despite being frontline rights defenders, journalists are facing such risk of attacks during protests from both sides- protestors and security persons. FF repeatedly urges all concerned including the administration and protestors to respect journalists’ right to free reporting and ensure adequate safety of the media persons in such situations. The media houses and journalists are also equally urged to use safety gears and report from safe space during violent protests, the statement says. 

Similarly, Media Action Nepal has also condemned the attack upon journalist and media houses.  In another incident, Rajesh Gurung, a photojournalist with The Himalayan Times, was injured by rubber bullets during the protest. He sustained injuries to his thigh and foot while covering the demonstrations in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu. Gurung was admitted to Kantipur Hospital, where he was prescribed six types of antibiotics for his treatment.

Another journalist of Onlinekhabar, Dinesh Gautam, was injured during a pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune today. He was taking photos of protesters snatching a gun used by security forces to fire tear gas when he was mobbed by them. According to Gautam, he was pushed and attempted to steal his mobile.

Following that, they pushed Gautam down. A team of security personnel arrived shortly after that and fired tear gas. Gautam escaped. While fleeing to Koteshwor, he was pursued by rioters. At the time, the protesters dubbed him a police CID. “I clicked the picture of rioters snatching a police gun. However, they attacked and pursued me, mistaking me for a security CID officer. They broke my leg. 

 “It is plastered, and I have to walk with crutches,” he told Media Action Nepal. Gautam, who was injured during the incident, was taken to Everest Hospital. Doctors stated that his leg was broken during the incident. Moreover, they also attacked media organizations, setting fire to the Annapurna Post office and pelting stones at the Kantipur Television building. Initially, demonstrators hurled stones at media offices before escalating to arson. It has been reported that the fire at Annapurna Post was later extinguished by office staff. The Annapurna Post posted a video on Facebook showing them setting fire after pelting stones. 

Protesters also vandalized Kantipur Television and several nearby buildings. Stones were thrown at the office building and other nearby structures. Media Action Nepal has been closely monitoring the recent incidents of violations against journalists and independent media, and we are deeply concerned about the tragic death of a journalist, as well as the injuries and attacks on journalists and media houses. Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal, stated, “We call on the government, protesters, and media houses to take a firm stand for the safety of journalists.” Media Action Nepal strongly urges the government, protestors, and media outlets to take immediate and responsible actions:

•              The government must ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts face swift and severe consequences.

•              Protestors must understand that violence against journalists is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

•              Media houses must take every necessary measure to protect their reporters and ensure their safety during such events.

“The tragic loss of Suresh Rajak’s life is a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in their line of work,” Pant added.

Annapurna Media Network Chairman Rameshwar Thapa condemned the attack on the headquarters of Annapurna Media Network with an intention to kill the journalists. This is an act of terrorism, he added.

“We will honor any kind of peaceful protest staged by abiding by the Constitution. But today’s attack on Annapurna Media Network and other media houses and commercial buildings is itself a condemnable act. We can clearly see that is an act of terrorism,” he said during a press conference organized after the pro-monarchy protesters attacked the office of Annapurna Media Network.

“The pro-monarchy protesters attacked the office of Annapurna Media Network while the journalists and employees were working inside. They even tried to enter the office by smashing the windows and attempting to set fire to the office. This is a heinous crime,” Chairman Thapa said. “The attack was aimed at killing the journalists and employees working inside the office which is condemnable and This is an act of terrorism.”

Issuing a press statement AMN Chairman and editors of Annapurna Media Network’s various outlets have condemned the attack.  A statement jointly  issued by AMN Chairman Rameshwar Thapa, Annapurna Post Editor-in-Chief Akhanda Bhandari, The Annapurna Express Editor Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Shambhu Kattel, Editor of Annapurnapost.com, Bhupal Luitel, Editor Radio Annapurna and Dipendra Bantawa, News Chief, AP1 TV says:  “We strongly condemn the violent arson attack on the headquarters of Annapurna Media Network (AMN) and Kantipur Television, carried out by an unruly group under the pretext of advocating for the reinstatement of the monarchy. We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Avenues TV camera person Suresh Rajak, who lost his life in a fire set in a private building.” 

This attack is a direct assault on press freedom and democracy, the statement reads,  the deliberate targeting of media institutions exposes the true nature of this so-called movement—one that seeks to silence independent journalism and erode democratic values. History has shown that the press is always the first target of autocracy, and we remain resolute in our opposition to any form of authoritarianism.

The media played a pivotal role in Nepal’s People’s Movement of 2062/63 (2006), helping shape the path toward a republic. It is clear that Annapurna Media Network was attacked precisely because of our unwavering commitment to democracy. We will not stand idly by as any force attempts to undermine the values we uphold, the statement says. 

The statement further says: “In a democracy, every citizen has the right to engage in politics, seek governance, and shape public opinion. However, these rights must be exercised peacefully and within the bounds of the law. No one is above the democratic system, and violence has no place in political discourse.” 

Annapurna Media Network has always been at the forefront of safeguarding 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 guarantors of press freedom, human rights, and civil liberties, the statement reads.   We urge the government to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into this attack and the tragic death of Suresh Rajak. Those responsible must be held accountable to ensure justice, protect press freedom, and uphold the rule of law, the statement says.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office has lifted a curfew in the Tinkune-Baneshwor area.

The order initially imposed from 4:25 pm to 10 pm was later extended to 7 am until Saturday following the clash and vandalism that ensued as a result of the protest and demonstration held by pro-monarchists.

The order was imposed as per Section (6) a of the Local Administration Act, 2028 BS, said Kathmandu Chief District Officer Rishiram Tiwari.

The curfew order was issued in the late afternoon to be effective from Old Baneshwor to Tinkune area, from Gaushala to the airport, Gairigaun, Tinkune to Koteshwor, from Koteshwor to Jadibuti Bridge, from Koteshwor to Balkumari Bridge, from Baneshwor Chowk to Shankhamul Bridge, from Gaushala Chowk to Old Baneshwor to Naya Baneshwor Chowk.

Two persons died and 45 others were injured in clashes between pro-monarchy protesters and security personnel on Friday.