Kathmandu: Nepalese journalists on Friday
boycotted a programme attended by Prime Minister Jhalanath
Khanal in protest against the government's failure to arrest a
man accused in an attack on a top scribe.
The journalists boycotted the programme where Khanal,
invited as the chief guest, was present along with Local
Development minister Urmila Aryal and State Minister for
Physical Planning and Works Devi Khadka at the famous tourist
spot of Pokhara.
They were demanding action against Parshuram Basnet, a
district level leader in the youth wing of CPN-UML that leads
the coalition in Nepal, who has been accused of involvement in
the June 5 attack on Biratnagar-based journalist Khilanath
Dhakal.
As a mark of protest the scribes stood at their place
when Khadka was about to address the gathering and
subsequently staged a walkout.
"We boycotted the programme as the PM has failed to
punish the culprits", senior journalist Krishna Prasad Bastola
said.
The journalists have been protesting for weeks
demanding action against Basnet, prime accused in the
incident.
Two activists have already been arrested in connection
with the case.
PTI
First Published: Friday, June 24, 2011, 23:49