Date: March 27, 2026 

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed grave concern over the physical assault and mistreatment of media persons while they were covering protests following the arrest of CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Nepali Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

According to the FNJ Kathmandu Chapter, Ashish Guragain, the General Secretary of the FNJ Valley Province Committee, was kicked and manhandled by agitated CPN-UML cadres while reporting from the party office in Chyasal.

Similarly, information has reached the Federation that Kantipur journalist Daya Dudraj, Onlinekhabar's Kausal Kafle, and Prasun Sangroula were verbally abused and mistreated while attempting to take photographs. Journalists who arrived at the CPN-UML meeting for news collection were harassed and chased away from the party office premises by cadres.

The FNJ views the act of assaulting, mistreating, and chasing away journalists as a direct attack on press freedom. The Federation strongly condemns and denounces these actions.

The Federation demands that the concerned political party take disciplinary action against those involved in such misconduct, and further urges the relevant government authorities to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice.

As the government has arrested Oli and Lekhak based on the report of the commission formed to investigate the incidents of September 8th and 9th (Bhadra 23 and 24)—a report currently facing scrutiny from various quarters—the FNJ notes the possibility of further protests. Therefore, the Federation makes a special appeal to journalists to prioritize their safety while covering demonstrations and urges protesters to show restraint and respect toward the press.

Ram Prasad Dahal

General Secretary