Posted on 05/31/2008 8:43:49 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Kathmandu, May 31 (PTI) Maoist chairman Prachanda, who is set to lead the next Nepal government, has warned the media of "serious consequences" if it continues to criticise the party, a move flayed by the country's apex journalists' body. "We will no longer tolerate criticism as we have already been elected by the people," he said addressing a rally here to celebrate the country's transition to a republic.
Targeting the Kantipur publication that brings out the largest circulated dailies Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post, the former rebel leader said, "You journalists did well to continuously criticise the Maoists before the constituent assembly polls, otherwise the election would not have taken place at all." "Now we will no longer tolerate criticism as we have already been elected by the people," he said, adding that the other newspapers criticising the Maoist will also meet the same fate.
Prachanda warned of serious consequences if the media continued to criticise the party.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has flayed Prachanda's statement describing it as remarks directed against the freedom of the press.
"This has raised suspicion in the Maoists' commitment towards a free press," FNJ president Dharmendra Jha said in a statement.
FNJ also asked the Maoists to demonstrate their commitment to a free press in the country by making their party's policy towards press freedom public.
The Maoists have emerged as the largest party in the 601-member constituent assembly with no one getting clear majority. The deadlock among the parties has caused delay in the formation of the coalition government. PTI
"We should be alert not to let another autocrat be born after toppling Gyanendra," said Gajendra Karki, General Secretary of Nepal Students Union.
The warning comes amid threat by Maoists, who emerged as the largest party in the landmark Constituent Assembly polls last month, that they would launch another agitation if both the posts are not given to them.
Prachanda, during a party rally on Friday, threatened to establish a communist republic through October Revolution if other parties do not allow them to form a government.
Shoot the Maoist SOB’s when they walk into the building and hang them outside from light poles, when we people elarn you do not make peace with Maoists, you shoot them?
+1, they who rule by the sword (or gunpoint in this case)...!
The only good communist is a dead communist.
These bastards are reaping what they sowed. They brought in the Maoists and now they will pay for it. Useful idiots.
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