Youth Force (YF) plans to stage the demonstration at exactly the same place and time that the 13 youth and student bodies are scheduled to stage protest on Thursday demanding arrest of Parshuram Basnet.[break]
The order prohibits gathering of more than five people in areas from Kanchanbari in the north to Road Shesh in the south, Hatkhola in the east to Bakharigaon in the west, according to Chief District Officer (CDO) Suresh Adhikari.
The prohibitory orders will be effective from 8 am to 6 pm Thursday.
YF chief arrives in Biratnagar
YF president Mahesh Basnet, who has publicly admitted to having protected Parshuram Basnet, who masterminded the attack on journalist Dhakal, arrived in Biratnagar on Wednesday to address a gathering planned for Thursday. Sources said YF´s district chief Parshuram Basnet is also likely to address the gathering on Thursday.
Dozens of the YF cadres had reached Biratnagar airport to welcome Mahesh Basnet. They also sloganeered against journalists and called them to stop “yellow journalism”. “Every one has stood against us as though we hold no power whatsoever in Biratnagar,” said Rabin Thapa, Morang president of Youth Association, a wing of the CPN-UML. “That is why we plan to display our muscle power.” He said the program is being held with approval of the CPN-UML.
The Morang district chapter of the FNJ has urged Chief District Officer (CDO) of Morang, Suresh Adhikari, to not allow the YF´s counter-program. However, CDO Adhikari declined journalists´ request.
Meanwhile, the FNJ has also vowed to boycott the programs organized by YF and Youth Association unless the prime accused in the attack on Dhakal is brought to book.
Demo planned by 13 youth and student bodies
Meanwhile, 13 youth and student bodies are preparing to organize another gathering to counter the YF´s program. Security has been beefed up fearing untoward incident.
The bodies associated with various political parties are planning to organize the demonstration at Janaandolan Chowk in Biratnagar.
Action sought against Mahesh Basnet
In Kathmandu, former chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Dharmendra Jha on Wednesday demanded action against Mahesh Basnet for protecting Parshuram Basnet.
“Why has the accused not been arrested when the government knows where he is? This is sheer incompetence of the government,” Jha said addressing journalists at Maitighar Mandala on Wednesday.
Nagarik Editor-In-Chief Narayan Wagle said gangsters are ruling the country in the name of democracy. “In democracy, every citizen is equal. But it seems there are two types of citizens now -- those under the law, and those above the law. This cannot be democracy,” he said, adding that those politicians who use money collected through extortion and tender deals are preventing action against the accused.
Meanwhile, addressing a corner meet in Dhangadhi, FNJ Chairman Shiva Gaunle said, “Though the police administration pretends to be searching for the accused, the accused has been walking freely,” he said.
Journalists also staged demonstration in Nepalgunj, Birgunj, Chitwan, and Surkhet, among other places, demanding action against Parshuram Basnet.
Meanwhile, Nepali journalists in Hong Kong submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal through the Office of the Consular General there demanding the arrest of those involved in the attack on Dhakal.
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