Lawmakers accuse government of intimidation after vehicles block media houses

Members of Parliament in Nepal have accused the government of using intimidation tactics after vehicles were strategically placed to block entrances to major media outlets and the residences of political leaders. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties condemned the actions on Tuesday, alleging they were politically motivated attempts to silence criticism and divert attention from pressing public concerns, including the recent death of a ride-hailing driver and issues surrounding squatters.

“

Vehicles were used to block media houses and the homes of political leaders to spread psychological panic. It may appear to be a minor symbolic act, but it resembles the intimidation tactics used by ultra-royalist groups during the Panchayat era.

The blockades, which occurred Monday morning, prevented staff and visitors from accessing the premises of Kantipur Media Group, Onlinekhabar, and Himalaya Television in Kathmandu. Similar actions were reported outside the home of Nepali Congress president Gagan Thapa. Opposition lawmaker Ganesh Singh Thagunna likened the incidents to intimidation tactics employed by ultra-royalist groups during the Panchayat era, emphasizing the psychological pressure these acts were designed to create. He called for an investigation and action against those responsible.

“

Only those who fear the truth resort to such actions. You cannot hide the truth forever, no matter how hard you try. Nepali journalism did not bow down when armed soldiers entered newsrooms in the past, and it will not be silenced by a few vehicles parked outside media houses.

Prakash Chandra Pariyar, whip of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), also condemned the blockade, asserting that the Nepali media would not be intimidated. He recalled how the press continued to function even under direct censorship and the presence of armed security personnel in newsrooms during King Gyanendra’s rule. "Only those who fear the truth resort to such actions," Pariyar stated, adding that "Nepali journalism did not bow down when armed soldiers entered newsrooms in the past, and it will not be silenced by a few vehicles parked outside media houses." He urged the government to ensure journalists and media organizations can operate without fear, stressing that holding government power does not justify overlooking intimidation of the press.

“

Being in government does not mean we should turn a blind eye to intimidation and attacks on the press simply because someone’s interests have been challenged.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chief whip Khushbu Oli accused the government of using the incidents to distract from the self-immolation and death of Ganesh Nepali. Nepali Communist Party lawmaker Ramesh Malla demanded a thorough investigation into those responsible, suggesting that the activities were carried out with state protection. He criticized the authorities' lenient response, arguing for the identification and punishment of the orchestrators rather than treating the incidents as minor offenses. The ruling RSP was also called out for not distancing itself from the alleged state-backed actions.

“

It has become clear that these activities were carried out by certain individuals under state protection.