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Two journalists stoned by protestors; two others assaulted while distributing newspapers; editor attacked, motorbike damaged

(FNJ/IFEX) - Journalists Santosh Yadav of "Rajdhani Daily" and Anil Adhikari of "The Blast" newspaper were attacked by Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) protestors on 9 March 2007 in Sunsari, an eastern district of Nepal. Yadav sustained serious injuries to his forehead when the MPRF activists hurled stones at them.

In a separate incident on 9 March in Sunsari, the MPRF protestors assaulted "Janabidroha" manager Chiranjivi Rijal, and the newspaper's deputy editor, Bimal Lamichane. The journalists were attacked while they were carrying newspapers on a motorbike. The protestors ordered them to get off the bike and then burned it along with the newspapers.

On 8 March, editor and publisher of "Baraha Saptahik" newspaper Gopal Bhandari, was attacked and his motorbike damaged at Bansbari in Morang, an eastern district of Nepal.

The FNJ has condemned these incidents and has urged the demonstrating parties to respect press freedom and to refrain from acts that hinder the free flow of information.