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India urged to release newsprint pronto
BIRPUR, JUN 25 -
Expressing deep concern over the hold-up of 1000 metric tonnes newsprint imported by Kantipur Publications by Indian authorities in Kolkata port, various organisations have urged the government to take prompt measures to resolve the issue. They have also demanded that the Indian Government release the consignment immediately.
Indo-Nepal Journalists Association, an alliance of media personnel working in the bordering areas of Nepal and India, has warned of protests if the newsprint is not released soon.
“We will hold talks with the representatives of the Indian government, and if the shipment is not released, we will launch a stir,” said Pankaj Ranjit, association’s coordinator for India.
Likewise, Bihar chapter of National Union for Journalists’ Association has demanded the Indian government take immediate steps for the release of the shipment. The association has said that the incident is a blatant attack on press freedom.
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has sought explanation from the Indian authorities regarding delay in newsprint release from Kolkata port.
“Under Nepal-India Trade and Transit Treaty, sealed consignments bound for Nepal can pass through Indian territory unimpeded by customs formalities, unless there are grounds to suspect contraband traffic,” reads an IFJ statement issued on Friday.
“We see it as very important that the media in Nepal should be allowed to function in an environment free of international and external pressures, given the delicate political transition in the country,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said in the statement.
Issuing separate statements in the Capital on Friday, Human Development and Peace Campaign (HUDEP) and Peace Party-Nepal urged governments of the two countries to take immediate steps in releasing the newsprint shipment.
Similarly, Nepal Chamber of Commerce on Friday sent separate letters to the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS), and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) seeking initiatives to release the newsprint.
Posted on: 2010-06-26 07:30
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