Gachchhadar visited NRM office on Tuesday to express concerns over the attack. [break]
A group of Shiva Sena Nepal cadres had stormed the NRM office and assaulted journalists including the editor-in-chief of Nagarik, Kishore Nepal last Thursday purportedly to protest the news published in Shukrabar, Republica´s sister publication.
DPM Gachchhadar during his visit made a phone call to the chief district officer of Kathmandu, Chudamani Sharma, and directed him to put the assailants, who are currently in police custody, in jail.
"Don´t come under any kind of pressure from anyone. Put the assailants in jail according to the legal procedures," Gachachhadar told Sharma.
According to clause 6 (1) of the Public Offense (Crime and Punishment) Act, 1970, CDO can give a maximum of 35-day jail to the person accused of vandalism and assault. According to a provision in the act, CDO can recommend to the appellate court a maximum of two years jail for the accused if imposing the fine is not sufficient punishment.
Gachchhadar also called up Additional Inspector General (AIG) Nawaraj Dhakal, the chief at Metropolitan Police Commissioner´s Office (MPCO), and ordered him to take stern action against the accused.
The deputy prime minister also enquired about the incident with Kishor Nepal, Editor-in-Chief of Nagarik Daily and Sukrabar Weekly, Managing Director Binod Raj Gyawali and Director of the Publications Shova Gyawali.
Meanwhile Minister for Information and Communication Raj Kishor Yadav has condemned the attack on Nepal Republic Media and also expressed commitment to take strong action against those responsible. He also assured to take a proposal to the cabinet to form a strong mechanism to investigate the case. Because of lapses in the mechanism to take action against such crimes, such activities have been recurring, he added.
The assailants have been remanded to seven days of judicial custody which is expiring Wednesday.
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