Maoist flak closes radio program

BAJURA, Aug 27 - Radio program "Halkhabar", aired regularly by Bajura's only FM station was cancelled recently after local CPN-Maoist leader allegedly rebuked the station management for relaying news about party chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.Following the incident, program host Nimendra Shahi also lost his job at Bajura ...

It has been learnt that Maoist district in charge Sahadev Bogati had taken strong exception to the news about PM Dahal importing a bed from China. The news was aired four days ago.

Radio operators say the program had to be terminated and the program host was sacked due to some internal reasons inside the station.

However, Shahi claims that he was fired on the charge of defaming the radio station through a local paper that ran a story about Bajura Radio being pro-NGO a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Bajura chapter of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) condemned the radio for closing down the program and dismissing Shahi for airing factual information. Issuing a statement, FNJ also drew the attention of Maoists for creating a situation that led to closure of the radio program and violating people's right to information. The federation has demanded that the program be resumed and Shahi be reinstated as the program host immediately.