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The 13th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Working Group (JWG) on Border Management (BM) was held in Pokhara, Nepal on March 27-28.

In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the decisions taken in the last JWG on BM that took place in New Delhi on 15-16 June 2022, particularly with respect to repair and maintenance of border pillars.

They also deliberated on issues related to trans-border criminal activities; strengthening of border infrastructure particularly ICPs, roads and railway-network; empowerment and capacity building of various security-related institutions; and ways to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.

The JWG on BM also reviewed progress on concluding the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the working of Border District Coordination Committee (BDCC) between the two sides.

The two sides agreed to ensure that the meetings of the JWG on BM are held regularly.

The Indian delegation extended an invitation to the Nepali delegation for the next JWG on BM to be held in India next year. Mihir Kumar, joint-secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, led the Indian delegation while Ramchandra Tiwari, joint-secretary (Security and Coordination), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal, led the Nepali side. 

The UK would not hesitate to retaliate against US tariffs if needed, according to Downing Street sources, BBC reported.

The government is in last-minute negotiations with the White House ahead of a 25% tax on car imports and threats of wider tariffs on other goods on 2 April. 

It is trying to get an exemption, arguing that - unlike other countries - the UK has a relatively equal trading relationship with the US. The prime minister has said he does not want to jump into a trade war.

US President Donald Trump has introduced a series of tariffs targeting goods from other countries, arguing the measures will help American manufacturers and protect jobs despite warnings prices could go up for consumers, according to BBC.

The second hunting season of this year has begun in Dhorpatan, the only hunting reserve in Nepal. In the second season, 35 wild animals including 13 Naur (himlayan blue sheep), 10 Jharal (himalayan thar) and 12 wild boars are going to be hunted.

 The Department of Wildlife and National Parks had called for bids for hunting in early February.

Six companies, including Himalayan Wildlife Outfits Pvt. Ltd., Tracks and Trails Pvt. Ltd., Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd., Global Safaris Nepal, Nepal Travel Expeditions and Open Nepal Wildlife Safaris, have received permission to hunt in the second season. 

Meanwhile, hunters who have received permission from the Department have started arriving to hunt in various blocks of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

Ranger Sagar Subedi of the Reserve Office shared that for the second season hunters will be allowed to hunt until the end of April. He said that only two Naurs have been hunted so far. One of the Naur was hunted by 70-year-old Marcos Olaizola Alcorta from Spain in the Sundaha block.

Hunters from the US, Argentina, Spain and France have come for this hunting season. The price for the permit to hunt the wild animals in the reserve range between Rs. 800,000 to Rs. 625,500 per animal.

Chief Conservation Officer of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Chandrashekhar Chaudhary. said that Rs. 12.6 million in revenue has been collected in the second season.

 Hunting is open in Dhorpatan in two seasons every year. The first season falls in Asoj-Mangsir and the second in Falgun-Baishakh in the lunar calendar.

The weather at present is partly cloudy in the hilly parts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and clear in the rest of the country.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Department, this afternoon, the hilly parts of the country will remain partly cloudy while the weather will be clear in the rest of the country. 

There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning in one or two places in the hilly parts of Koshi and Gandaki provinces. Furthermore, there is a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous region of the two provinces.

Tonight, the weather will continue to remain partly cloudy in the hilly parts of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces and remain clear in the rest of the country, adds the Department.

The Sichuan Series of Celebrations on China-Nepal 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and the Sichuan-Nepal Culture, Tourism, Economy and Trade Exchange Month commenced with an inaugural event held at Chengdu, China. 

The event held on Friday was jointly organized by Foreign Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial Government and the Consulate General of Nepal in Chengdu.

Speaking at the event, Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, Zhang Tao, reiterated the recent progress in connectivity between Nepal and Sichuan, highlighting the momentum of socio-cultural exchanges in the past year.

In his remarks, Ambassador of Nepal to China, Krishna Prasad Oli, reminisced about the historical ties shared by the two countries and more importantly, the bonds shared by the people of these countries. 

Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, stated that Nepal is ready to welcome Chinese tourists and offer them an unforgettable experience in every corner of Nepal. 

The Consul General confirmed the Consulate’s readiness to facilitate and encourage all forms of trade, tourism and cultural exchange initiatives between Sichuan and Nepal.

The event included performances from Chinese performers and Himali Cultural Group, who arrived in Chengdu for Sichuan-Nepal Culture, Tourism, Economy and Trade Exchange Month.

Various Nepali products were showcased by Nepali exhibitors during the event. During the month-long Sichuan series, Nepali local products’ exhibition and cultural exchange events will be held in different cities of Sichuan Province.

The Sichuan series is also expected to enhance integrated and robust cultural, trade, economic and people-to-people exchange between Nepal and Sichuan, according to the Consulate General of Nepal in Chengdu, China.

A 'Hashtag Arrest Gyanendra' campaign has been launched on social media demanding the arrest and action against the then King Gyanendra Shah.

There have been demands on social media that Gyanendra Shah be held accountable and bring him to justice for the violent activities that took place in the name of protests in Kathmandu on Friday, demanding the restoration of the monarchy.

A photo journalist and a protester were killed and many others were injured during the demonstration of pro-monarchy in Tinkune yesterday.

Dozens of commercial buildings, media outlets and political party offices were vandalized and set on fire.

Claiming that the then King Gyanendra Shah was the mastermind behind the violent protest, a campaign has been launched on social media demanding his arrest.

Social media users have launched a hashtag campaign on Saturday demanding Shah's arrest.

Police have already arrested Rastriya Prajatantra Party leaders Dhawal Shumsher Rana and Rabindra Mishra among others for their alleged involvement in inciting the crowd and arson and vandalism.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak today inspected different areas including Tinkune and Koteshwor where supporters of the former king vandalized and torched various physical structures.

A team comprising Home Minister Lekhak, Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, high-ranking officials of the Home Ministry and police officers carried out the inspection of the torched private house at Tinkune, Kantipur Television, Annapurna Post Daily, Judibuti-based Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited, party office of CPN (Unified Socialist) and CPN (Maoist Center) and Koteshwor-based sales store. 

In the course of the monitoring, Home Minister Lekhak said the attack on the media house was condemnable and those involved in such inhumane activities would be brought to book. Condemning the attempt of destroying the media, he committed to taking action against the perpetrators. 

He mentioned, "In democratic republic, there will be mutual competition. There are government and opposition sides as per the people's mandate. But it should be countered by being united when anyone orchestrates anarchic activities against the system."

Media rights body have condemned the attacks upon Annapurna Media Network, other media outlets and journalists in Nepal. 

Issuing a press statement, Freedom Forum said it has been saddened over several brutal incidents of press freedom violations including the death of a journalist and attack on another in the protest organized by pro-monarchy demonstrators in the federal capital, Kathmandu on March 28.

The protestors vandalized media houses, attacked media persons and killed a media person during the protest organized at Tinkune, Kathmandu. The pro-monarchist groups organized the demonstration, demanding restoration of monarchy and Hindu Kingdom. As the protestors breached the prohibited area, police clashed with them. Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to scatter the mob, but the situation took an ugly turn, Freedom Forum said.  

They hurled stones at media houses- the Annapurna Media Network and Kantipur Television at Tinkune area. They also set on fire the office of Annapurna Post. Glasses of windows in the buildings were broken in the incident, Freedom Forum said.  A photojournalist at Avenues Television, Suresh Rajak, died in a fire set on a building at Tinkune by the protestors.

 According to the fellow reporters on site, reporter Rajak was covering the protest from rooftop of the building which was set on fire by the protestors. Official confirmation is however, awaited. Similarly, reporter with the Onlinekhabar.com Dinesh Gautam was attacked by the protestors, breaking his leg, while he was taking pictures of the protestors. They also threw stones on the vehicle of Himalaya Television.

Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack upon media and journalists. Although everyone has the right to have peaceful protest guaranteed by constitution, such violent activities are deplorable. Despite being frontline rights defenders, journalists are facing such risk of attacks during protests from both sides- protestors and security persons. FF repeatedly urges all concerned including the administration and protestors to respect journalists’ right to free reporting and ensure adequate safety of the media persons in such situations. The media houses and journalists are also equally urged to use safety gears and report from safe space during violent protests, the statement says. 

Similarly, Media Action Nepal has also condemned the attack upon journalist and media houses.  In another incident, Rajesh Gurung, a photojournalist with The Himalayan Times, was injured by rubber bullets during the protest. He sustained injuries to his thigh and foot while covering the demonstrations in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu. Gurung was admitted to Kantipur Hospital, where he was prescribed six types of antibiotics for his treatment.

Another journalist of Onlinekhabar, Dinesh Gautam, was injured during a pro-monarchy protest in Tinkune today. He was taking photos of protesters snatching a gun used by security forces to fire tear gas when he was mobbed by them. According to Gautam, he was pushed and attempted to steal his mobile.

Following that, they pushed Gautam down. A team of security personnel arrived shortly after that and fired tear gas. Gautam escaped. While fleeing to Koteshwor, he was pursued by rioters. At the time, the protesters dubbed him a police CID. “I clicked the picture of rioters snatching a police gun. However, they attacked and pursued me, mistaking me for a security CID officer. They broke my leg. 

 “It is plastered, and I have to walk with crutches,” he told Media Action Nepal. Gautam, who was injured during the incident, was taken to Everest Hospital. Doctors stated that his leg was broken during the incident. Moreover, they also attacked media organizations, setting fire to the Annapurna Post office and pelting stones at the Kantipur Television building. Initially, demonstrators hurled stones at media offices before escalating to arson. It has been reported that the fire at Annapurna Post was later extinguished by office staff. The Annapurna Post posted a video on Facebook showing them setting fire after pelting stones. 

Protesters also vandalized Kantipur Television and several nearby buildings. Stones were thrown at the office building and other nearby structures. Media Action Nepal has been closely monitoring the recent incidents of violations against journalists and independent media, and we are deeply concerned about the tragic death of a journalist, as well as the injuries and attacks on journalists and media houses. Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and Executive Director of Media Action Nepal, stated, “We call on the government, protesters, and media houses to take a firm stand for the safety of journalists.” Media Action Nepal strongly urges the government, protestors, and media outlets to take immediate and responsible actions:

•              The government must ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts face swift and severe consequences.

•              Protestors must understand that violence against journalists is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

•              Media houses must take every necessary measure to protect their reporters and ensure their safety during such events.

“The tragic loss of Suresh Rajak’s life is a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in their line of work,” Pant added.

Annapurna Media Network Chairman Rameshwar Thapa condemned the attack on the headquarters of Annapurna Media Network with an intention to kill the journalists. This is an act of terrorism, he added.

“We will honor any kind of peaceful protest staged by abiding by the Constitution. But today’s attack on Annapurna Media Network and other media houses and commercial buildings is itself a condemnable act. We can clearly see that is an act of terrorism,” he said during a press conference organized after the pro-monarchy protesters attacked the office of Annapurna Media Network.

“The pro-monarchy protesters attacked the office of Annapurna Media Network while the journalists and employees were working inside. They even tried to enter the office by smashing the windows and attempting to set fire to the office. This is a heinous crime,” Chairman Thapa said. “The attack was aimed at killing the journalists and employees working inside the office which is condemnable and This is an act of terrorism.”

Issuing a press statement AMN Chairman and editors of Annapurna Media Network’s various outlets have condemned the attack.  A statement jointly  issued by AMN Chairman Rameshwar Thapa, Annapurna Post Editor-in-Chief Akhanda Bhandari, The Annapurna Express Editor Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Shambhu Kattel, Editor of Annapurnapost.com, Bhupal Luitel, Editor Radio Annapurna and Dipendra Bantawa, News Chief, AP1 TV says:  “We strongly condemn the violent arson attack on the headquarters of Annapurna Media Network (AMN) and Kantipur Television, carried out by an unruly group under the pretext of advocating for the reinstatement of the monarchy. We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Avenues TV camera person Suresh Rajak, who lost his life in a fire set in a private building.” 

This attack is a direct assault on press freedom and democracy, the statement reads,  the deliberate targeting of media institutions exposes the true nature of this so-called movement—one that seeks to silence independent journalism and erode democratic values. History has shown that the press is always the first target of autocracy, and we remain resolute in our opposition to any form of authoritarianism.

The media played a pivotal role in Nepal’s People’s Movement of 2062/63 (2006), helping shape the path toward a republic. It is clear that Annapurna Media Network was attacked precisely because of our unwavering commitment to democracy. We will not stand idly by as any force attempts to undermine the values we uphold, the statement says. 

The statement further says: “In a democracy, every citizen has the right to engage in politics, seek governance, and shape public opinion. However, these rights must be exercised peacefully and within the bounds of the law. No one is above the democratic system, and violence has no place in political discourse.” 

Annapurna Media Network has always been at the forefront of safeguarding democracy and ensuring political accountability. No amount of intimidation will deter us from our mission. We firmly believe that democracy and republicanism are the ultimate guarantors of press freedom, human rights, and civil liberties, the statement reads.   We urge the government to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into this attack and the tragic death of Suresh Rajak. Those responsible must be held accountable to ensure justice, protect press freedom, and uphold the rule of law, the statement says.