RSP directs government to probe journalist arrests, punish those responsible

The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has directed the government to conduct an impartial investigation into the arrests of journalists and take action against those found guilty. The party's secretariat meeting, held at the party office in Banasthali on Saturday, issued the directive.

According to party spokesperson Jagadish Kharel, the meeting directed the government to investigate the incident in which plainclothes police entered a newsroom and arrested and detained a journalist. The party said an investigation must be carried out into why and how journalists and media workers were questioned or arrested, and who carried it out, and that those responsible must be brought under the ambit of action.

The meeting concluded that the incident, in which police entered a media house's newsroom and took a journalist into custody, was wrong, and directed the government to fully respect press freedom. The meeting also drew the government's attention to ensuring there is no compromise or delay in taking action against those involved in such activities.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, party chairman Rabi Lamichhane said no one could be above the constitution and democracy.