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The Press Council has urged the Tourism Ministry to take action against the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal for trying to curtail the freedom of press and expression and editorial freedom.

Saying that the CAAN’s move to seek clarification directly to the operator of the Annapurna Post daily over the news published in the newspaper is a violation of the prevailing laws and regulations, the Council has written to the concerned ministry.

Stressing that authority to write and publish news and editorials rests with editors, not investors, the Council said that the Authority’s decision to seek clarification by linking the publisher with another business is against the existing law and practice.

Earlier on August 18, the Authority had sent a letter asking clarification with Simrik Air Chairman Captain Rameshwar Thapa, who is also the Chairman of the AMN, over news published in Annapurna Post daily under the Annapurna Media Network.

The clarification letter states that AMN has repeatedly disseminated news, analyses, and comments that gravely undermine flight safety. The letter further points out that despite Capt Thapa’s role as the head of an airline company responsible for upholding flight safety, he seems to have misused his publishing rights through his media outlet, engaging in misleading and rumor-spreading activities.

ALSO READ: CAAN’s anti-press freedom move draws criticisms

 Later, the Annapurna Media Network filed an application at the Press Council saying that the individuals and organizations dissatisfied with media reports can move the press council.

Concluding that the Authority’s move has infringed the freedom of press and expression, a meeting of the Code of Conduct Monitoring Sub-Committee of the Council held on Tuesday drew the attention of the Ministry.

Saying that the clarification sought with the Annapurna Media Network was not in accordance with the law, the meeting has decided to inform the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Council Deputy Spokesperson and Information Officer Ram Sharan Bohara said.

“The content published or broadcast in the media falls under editorial responsibility,” the letter sent to the Ministry by the Council states. There is a provision to move the Press Council if the individuals or the organizations are dissatisfied with the media reports.

The Council said that its serious attention has been drawn over the Authority’s move to seek direct clarification from the publisher.

Earlier on July 31, the Authority had made a decision not to operate flights after 12 noon in the 29 airports of remote areas. Owing to the Authority’s such decision, patients with serious health conditions could not go outside the district for treatment.

Because of which, four children lost their lives in Humla.

Following the incident, the Annapurna Post daily covered news about the problems the Karnali Province people have been facing after the Authority prohibited the flights after 12 noon in hilly districts.

The Karnali Province government, lawmakers, civil society and entrepreneurs piled pressure on the Authority to correct its decision.

ALSO READ: CAAN move condemnable

On August 17, the Authority quashed its earlier decision regarding air flights.

But on August 18, the Authority sought clarification with the publisher over the news published in the newspaper.

Vehicular movement along the Narayangadh-Munglin road section has resumed from Tuesday afternoon after 17 hours.

The road section was obstructed following a landslide at Namsikhola in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality- 6 of Chitwan at 8 pm on Monday, Information Office at the Road Division Office, Chitwan Chandeshwor Sah said.

The vehicles that were stranded due to the landslide have headed towards their respective destinations.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is going to use the organic insecticide 'Bio Larvicide' to destroy mosquito larva to control dengue in the metropolitan city.

Mayor Balen Shah said that Bio Larvicide is going to be used for the first time in Nepal to destroy the mosquito larva. Shah said the insecticide is organic and it does not harm any other creatures except mosquitoes and their larva.

Taking to a social networking site, he said, "Bio Larvicide is organic. It does not harm any other creatures except mosquitoes and their larva. It is not a pesticide. The insecticide should be sprayed on top of the water.  It produces poison in the abdomen of larva and destroys the digestive process, thereby killing the larva. Larva and pupa of all types of mosquitoes spreading dengue, filariasis, and malaria will be destroyed from it."

An arrangement of counseling regarding dengue has been made from free hotline telephone 1180 round the clock, free ambulance service has been made by contacting at 102 if dengue patient needs to visit hospital and distribution of necessary medicines required for dengue treatment including paracetamol and jeevan jal (oral rehydration salt) at health centers, Mayor Shah added.

Vehicular movement along the Narayangadh-Mugling road section, which was obstructed by the landslide, will resume after six hours, the Road Division said.

The landslide occurred in Namsi at 8 pm on Monday, said Information Officer at Road Division, Engineer Chandeshwor Saha, adding that four excavators are being used to remove the debris.

Although the machines were mobilized to clear the obstruction at 10 pm, it will take six more hours for complete removal of obstruction.

Only 30 percent debris has been removed so far, according to police chief at Area Police Office Muglin, Inspector Bishal Tamang.

The vehicles including passenger buses have been stranded at different places along the road following the landslide triggered by rainfall.

The vehicles coming from Kathmandu are stopped at Muglin, Kurintar, Phisling and Dhading, while those from east-west highway at Bharatpur and Gaindakot, Nawalpur.