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The Annapurna Media Network has condemned the vandalism and arson of media outlets, including Annapurna, by chaotic, unruly and uncontrollable groups that emerged in the name of the 'royalist movement'.

The Annapurna Media Network strongly condemned the death of Suresh Rajak, camera person of Kantipur TV, Avenues TV along with Annapurna.

Issuing a statement, Annapurna Media Network Chairman Rameshwar Thapa, Editor-in-Chief of Annapurna Post, Editor of Annapurna Express Kamal Dev Bhattarai, Editor of Annapurna Post. Com Sambhu Kattel, Editor of Radio Annapurna 94. 0 Megahertz and News Chief of AP1 TV Dipendra Bantawa demanded that those involved in vandalism and arson be brought to book.  

“This protest has shown that the media is the first target of absolutism. Protesting every kind of absolutism, we will stand firm in support of democracy,” they said in the statement.

“Media has played an active, vital and powerful role in the 2005/ 2006 movement to draw the line of republic. Annapurna Media Network cannot remain a mute spectator to any kind of activities that undermines democracy. We believe that the protesters targeted Annapurna Media for the same reason,” they further said.

They said that democracy and the Constitution do not prevent Nepali citizens from practicing politics and gaining public support. In addition to that, they said that no one is allowed to go beyond the democratic system.

“Annapurna Media Network has always been at the forefront of protecting and promoting democracy. We will not be distracted by obstacles,” the statement reads. “The only alternative to democracy is advanced democracy. The only alternative to a republic is a prosperous republic. Freedom of the press and expression, human rights, and people’s sovereignty are possible only in democracy. The disruption to that is condemnable.”

“Lastly, we urge the government to carry out an investigation into the death of camera person Suresh Rajak and an attack on Annapurna Media Network with a malicious intent to take the lives of journalists.”

The Nepal Army has been deployed to stop the chaos, arson, and looting being spread in the name of royalists.

According to a military source, Nepal Army personnel have been deployed to control chaos, looting, and arson spread by the pro-monarchy supporters in the Tinkune area today.

Nepal Army has deployed its personnel and vehicles in various parts of Kathmandu to take the situation under control.

The pro-monarchy protesters hurled stones and attempted to set fire the office of Annapurna's Media Network.

A journalist died during the protest of royalists in Tinkune on Friday.

Avenues TV journalist Suresh Rajak died in a fire set by the pro-monarchy protesters at a house in Tinkune this afternoon, police informed.

Avenues TV Editor Shiva Dahal said that Rajak died in a fire set by royalists at a private house in Tinkune.

He had been working as a camera person at the Avenues TV for the past five years.

According to Dahal, Rajak was filming a video of the protesters sitting on the roof of the house set on fire by the protesters.

Nepal Police spokesperson DIG Dinesh Kumar Acharya confirmed that a body has been recovered from the house that caught fire.

The body has been sent to the Maharajgunj-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for postmortem, he added.

Similarly, Sabin Maharjan (29) of Kirtipur lost his life in the clash, police informed. 

A person died and 30 others injured in a clash between pro-monarchy protesters and police personnel on Friday.

Organizing a press conference this evening, the Home Ministry said that 15 protesters and 15 security personnel were injured the clash.

The deceased has been identified as Sabin Sharma (29).

Sharma, who was injured in the clash breathed his last during the course of treatment, the Home Ministry informed.