First, it was Lok Raj Baral -- a harmless 70-year old political science professor.
Then others were arrested.

Now, Kanak too.

*************************************

Kanak Mani Dixit, the Editor and Publisher of Himal Khabarpatrika
fortnightly magazine was taken into custody by police on Monday
evening.

Plainclothes policemen who had been waiting at his home took him away
saying the "Superintendent wants to talk to you."

Dixit then drove to thepolice station in his own car. His wife who
went to the police station in jawalakhel where he is being kept wasn't told
the reason for the detention nor how long he will be kept.

Regarding someone's queries as to why this was not in Himal.. well who would want to be arrested for writing the facts ? Monarchy is all about keeping the media shut on such matters and if anyone dared to even whsiper "under their hats" ,they will be robbed of their "HATS"!!


Then why is it there in Nepalnews.com and kantipuronline.com... are'nt they afraid for the same reason which himalayantimes is afraid of?

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Remember how things were handled at the aftermath of Royal Massacre. Everything happened as per Grand Design, we all know that. Girija need not hout all the time to gainpublic attention in the past. He even dared not divuldge anything about the Grand Design, had he known anything.

These events of etaining and releasing of personalities are also part of the grand design. General public may not know the consipracy behind it. We are simply shouting here why why why? We do not know the facts.. and we cannot justify the actions taken by king G.

Everybody has to do thier part of jobs... I dont' know what the ousted political parties supposed to do when Kanak Dixit or the likes are detained. Those paties never did anything even to stop the killings of fellowmen in the past. what can we expect from them? But again one can argue, they are also adopting "wait and see" policy currently.

everybody's in the "wait and see" mode. King G is also. He is waiting for melmilap with parties. For sure he is playing risky gamble.

So one of the moves is detaining Kanak Man Dixit, perhaps, who knows. He will face the consequences if that step was a bad one in future.

We better wait and see.

Things are getting clearer day by day about the intentions of King Gyanendra. First let's start from the news about the arrest of Kanak Dixit.
Kanak Dixit was detained on Monday evening without handing any charges. Some loyalists of the royal palace have already created a reason to protect this move saying that Dixit had been to India few days ago and he might be detained by the security forces on suspicion of his involvement in dissident political activities taking place in India. Some of the sajhaites have branded him as Girija's mouthpiece and some have even gone to label him as a RAW agent. Ridiculous allegations. We cannot expect any better arguement from those Gyanendra loyalists but the fact is Kanak Dixit has been arrested because of this cover story (linked) published in the latest issue of Himal Khabarpatrika. Please read this story if you want to know what is inside.

- http://www.nepalihimal.com/2061/falgun-16-30/aabaran_biswa_samudaya%20_ra_nepal.htm

The gist of the story is that King Gyanendra has not been able to convince the international community led by India about the justification of the Royal move in Feb 1. Dixit's argument in the cover story is a crystal clear fact which any person with an IQ of at least 100 can understand. How can Gyanendra expect India, USA or UK giving explicit approval of his move that includes detention of political leaders, ban on independent media and imposition of severe restrictions on civil liberties? There is no point in him to expect their support while his restrictions are no less than that of NorthKorea. There's more freedom in China, Cuba, Zimbabwe or Pakistan then in Nepal at present. How the hell can George Bush speak about rooting out autocractic regime from the world(refer to his state of the union address) if he supports Gyanendra in this situation?
If he has to generate support from India and the USA, Gyanendra most lift a number of bans. It is inevitable and the longer Gyanendra takes to soften the restrictions, the more suspicion will arise to the international community.

Dixit also adds in his cover story that the democratic freedom restored by the pressure from India and International community will be costly for Nepal. His argument is very plausible. (I have expressed a similar kind of opinion some where up in the thread almost a week ago). Gyanendra should have realised this fact and never opted to take such a draconian measure in the first hand. Once he did, he should have lifted some of those bans sooner. But he has sticked to his initial moves and this means the international community(specially India) will make this a case for bargain. Gyanendra shouldn't have allowed this oppurtunity for the international community because sooner or later he has to lift the bans if he wants to extend his direct rule for 3 years.
Now Dixit goes on to say that other countries shouldn't be given the chance to involve in restoring partial democracy in Nepal and it is us Nepalese who should step up for our democracy. Because, involvement of foreigners in our democratic movement will give them a chance of bargaining with our estabilishments time and again. Over dependence on India by our political leaders have in the past cost a lot on our bilateral trade, water sharing and territorial disputes. Again Dixit's argument is very authentic and patriotic.

So, why should Dixit be arrested because of this lead article? The new regime(in Dixit's word) had outlined it's media guideline and said- everything except the materials that help the terrorists(maoists) can be published. And there is nothing as such in this cover story. Even then, they have arrested him because their intentions are clear. 'Not to let any one who oppose autocracy to speak their mind.' If they speak, the public will be conscious and rise against them. Because Kanak has published some bitter truths about Tulsi Giri and Rameshnath Pandey, these cronies might have initiated personally to teach him some lessons- If you oppose us, we will throw you to the dungeon. I know that he will not be kept in detention for long. Gyanendra will again loose his case if he doesn't free Kanak on Tuesday and he is not that stupid to keep him in custody for long. But this is a warning to the rest of the media that the restrictions will be further tightened. He wants to scare the media. He wants to scare Kanak Dixit. And this is the most frightening part of the whole incident. Gyanendra's intention is to rule Nepal in darkness so that no one will ever venture to write or broadcast any thing against his interest in the future. However, as a professional neither Kanak should deviate his mission nor other journalists should be scared from this arrests. If they are scared, their rights will be taken partly and partially and finally the same days of Panchayati darkness will come back. Rest is the nightmare.
Much said about Kanak's article. Now I must categorically dismiss the allegations labelled on him. Not because I have any relation with him but because of my understanding of his contribution in the development of fair and analytical journalism in Nepal. He is one of the role models for investigative journalism of Nepal and a true mentor to the new generation who are taking up the subject as their profession. First, because he has expressed his fear about India's potentially decisive role in meddling on Nepali affairs, the allegation that he is a RAW agent is totally absurd. Second, because Himal have always highlighted the wrong doings of Girija Prasad Koirala in the past he cannot be labelled as a mouth piece of GPK. Infact, Himal was one of the few magazines or newspaper which have reported on wrongdoings committed by everyone Girija to Deuba, Makune to Surya Bahadur Thapa and Paras to Sharad |Chandra Shah. Himal is one of the few good things that came into existence and flourished in post democracy. They are the watershed in our media industry. To sum up, detention of Kanak Dixit is the sign of psychological rupture in Gyanendra's mindset.Instead of strenghtening his position, Gyanendra has to loose more by detaining a truly professional and responsible journalist. I hope our journalist community will not be scared of this incident and continue to explore the truth no matter if they have to end up behind bars. If they shut their mouth today, their mouth will be sewed for long.
newuser

Any news on whether the big guy is torturing him personally? Or should everyone perhaps wait, and, see.

The Keystone cops or Chinese water games? such is the state of our emergency


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 8:51 AM
To:
Subject: Kanak has been released


Dear All, Just found out that that Kanak was released last night around midnight.

*************************

The thing about these things is that when an idividual is detained the media goes into overdrive; it gets blown out of proportion ( not necessarily a bad thing, I might add ), curiously though, not a word is heard when the individual is set free!

Many journalists including the General Secretary of Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Bishnu Nisthuri have been set free by the government. Gauri pradhan, president of CWIN, again , who was at the center of media limelight when he was arrested a few weeks ago is no more in government custody. I am sure Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit will be set free in a day or two after interrogating him.

Now, remember, the country is in a state of emergency! These are extraordinary times. The government has requested the media to refrain from printing/broadcating materials that will aid the maoist insurgents. Not that I condone it or anything, but some journalists in the US were also arrested after 9/11, weren't they? The security situation in Nepal is a lot worse than in the US I would presume.

But then again, this government seems to be very proactive. This government is getting tough with everyone: wilful defaulters, government employees, black-marketeers, businesses who are not fulfilling thier legal obligations etc. etc.

Ashu and I seem to have crossed post!

Guys, I have been trying to access Himal and Nepali Times in the internet but with no avail. Seems the autocratic regime have scraped the ISP. I don't understand why Gyanendra and company is scared of truth. Apart from some resentment against Gyanendra's undemocratic move, there was nothing questionable in the latest issues of both papers.
Now is there any doubt about Gyanendra's intention to rule Nepal in darkness? Why don't the educated fraternity come up with strong words against the despot? Let me make clear, the direct beneficiary of the Mandalays do not include in the educated fraternity I have maintained.

Government arrests then quickly releases a high-profile journalist


Akhilesh Upadhyay

- The arrest and quick release yesterday of Kanak Mani Dixit, a prominent journalist, underscores not only the current perils of Nepal?s free press, but also a dilemma its new government faces.
It?s just been over a month since King Gyanendra took on absolute powers to fight the Maoists. But the going hasn?t been easy amid widespread international calls to restore democracy.

Dixit, 49, editor of Himal South Asian magazine and publisher of Himal Khabarpatrika, was arrested two days after his arrival from a New Delhi conference where he had voiced his reservations against the royal putsch and the imposition of a state of emergency.

Dixit has been a high-profile rebel. While most other editors and human rights activists have been happy lying low, Dixit has been vocal against the new regime in the international press, including CNN and The Economist.

Only yesterday, New Delhi categorically told the visiting Foreign Minister Rameshnath Pandey that restoration of political freedoms would remain central in its resumption of military aid to Nepal, suspended since Feb. 1. The United States and Britain have taken similar positions, though all three powers may be willing to give the King the benefit of the doubt for a while.

How does that play out in terms of press freedom? Dixit?s arrest follows fresh censorship measures that forbid journalists from reporting on the Maoist conflict without official vetting. The government can convict journalists or media outlets whose reporting ?affects the morale of the security forces.? This issue is of enormous public concern, as the toll of the Maoist ?people's war? exceeds the 11,000-mark.

"It [the arrest] gives a window into uncivilized behavior of our rulers," Dixit told us Tuesday morning of his overnight detention. He had spent a night at a Jawalakhel police station, not too far from his home in Patan Dhoka, where some senior political party leaders have been locked up since Feb. 1, without much contact with the outside world. "They [the leaders] have been less fortunate [than me]," says Dixit.

To a government facing international isolation, the Dixit saga yesterday exacted some price. Within hours, online news sites reported that Dixit had been picked up from his home by plainclothes security forces to ?see a DSP? (Deputy Superintendent of Police). As word of his arrest spread like wildfire, late news reports had more time to talk to his family members who said that they had delivered him sleeping bags and clothes late in the evening at the police station (Dixit himself told us Tuesday morning that he was prepared for a long haul). Overnight Monday, emails and telephone messages voicing concerns for his safety traveled round the world.

In New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the CPJ, soon showed solidarity with the veteran journalist through a statement. ?The jailing of Kanak Dixit is another severe blow to the ideals of democracy and press freedom that once seemed so promising in Nepal,? said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper. The CPJ called for Dixit?s immediate and all other journalists in detention.

Cooper went on to voice her concerns about the situation in Nepal. "Despite international censure of the king's actions, journalists remain in jail and conditions for the press are dire,? she said. In its homepage (www.cpj.org), the CPJ noted that criticism of the King?s actions has been banned in Nepal, along with independent reporting on the ongoing Maoist conflict.

Upon his release, Dixit, once again, used the bully pulpit to lecture the government, while he candidly admitted that not all the journalists and human rights activists have been released after a few hours in detention. "Some of us are privileged in Kathmandu," Dixit told us, ?but make no mistake, the country's civil liberties and press freedom have taken a knock. They have been pushed back several decades. The situation of journalists and human rights activists, especially outside Kathmandu, is anything but normal."

At least five journalists remain in prison. Forty FM radio stations have already fired most of their journalists because the government no longer allows private stations to air news programs. Major newspapers face prospects of huge layoffs as advertisement revenues continue to plunge amid deepening political instability.

Many Nepalis nodded in approval when King Gyanendra in his televised address of Feb.1 blamed the squabbling political parties for the country's failure to fight the Maoist insurgency. A month on, many of them are now wondering whether sweeping clampdowns on fundamental rights, including press freedom which followed the speech, would help that fight.

www.kantipuronline.com

Well,
Kanak sir was my boss once when i worked in himalmedia but then there was nothing political about him and it is really strange that he is arrested. He is a very nationalistic person and i feel sad that he is labeled as someone else.

it is sad that professionals like him are getting arrested everyday in the name of politics. Looks like you cannot even prove to do things the right way and be successful in your field.

Tell me one thing.. isn't this Himal publication financed by Indians? Isn't that the reason why before feb 1, in Nepal, they wanted to shut it off. Itmeans Kanak Man Dixit was on teh payroll of indians.

Prem Dai,

You must be thinking Himalayan Times as in "direct indian investment".

Himal Media is also true, in an obscure kinda way. Kanak's great grand pop was Madan Shumshere's PA or Purohit. Madan Shumshere's wife, Jagadamba Maharani, came from Benares with a whole lot of priceless jewelry as her dowry. Dixits got all of Madan Shumshere's property as they didn't have children.

But, Kanak's pop, Kamal Mani runs Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (MPP),the principal archive of books and periodicals in the nepali language and also manages two of Nepal's most prestigious literary prizes, the Madan Puraskar and the Jagadamba Shree.

Hmm...
It's amazing then how Kanak became mouthpiece of Girija.

Tell you one thing.. the journos in nepal never became independent or free. Always they were affiliated to pancha, komunists or Kangress and the RNA/King. JOurnos were always tainted.

Round 1: Kanak Mani Dixit vs. Big Guy Gyanendra

Kanak 1 - Big Guy 0

Three cheers for the winner!

kanakk
dixit realeased

ell me one thing.. isn't this Himal publication financed by Indians? Isn't that the reason why before feb 1, in Nepal, they wanted to shut it off. Itmeans Kanak Man Dixit was on teh payroll of indians.


Hi Prem Dai,

I guess you are getting confused with The himalayan times. Himal publication and The himalayan time ( under Appka publication) are two different entity....

Himal Publication ( himal, himal south asian and nepali times) is owned by nepalese to the root, it belongs to dixit family.

the Himalayan Times (appka publication) has been in controversy for long because there is indirect investment of Times of india group and other indian national.. Now I do not want to go in detail whether it is good or not... we can start a new thread to discuss this....

As far as your comment that Himal is Girija's mukhpatra.... I think that is wrong perception.. because during the days before October 18th take over by king... Himal publication taints toward NEpal communist (UML)... they are known to be UML supporter.

There is a rumor in ktm (Land of rumor) that Dixit family are supporting UML because they have lots of wealth inherited from Rana Family ( how I dont know)... and to protect their wealth even though UML / Communist comes to power, they wanted good relation with communist.....

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Kanak Dixit is getting really popular here.. 1275 views 35 posts....

there was hardly any post related to Bishnu Nisthuri's arrest.. president of journalist association....

Anyway, hope Kanak and Himal publication will keep their popularity going my providing us with unbiased and true news.. .and with articles from people from different walk of life .... guiding misguided nepalese to come out of current darkness...

I like the news and quality of articles in himal and nepali times...


Even Kantipur has good popularity but I hate it because it is too biased towards political parties especially congress... it is like reading those bullshit weekly papers like Deshantar Bimarsha, drishti and so on....

next thing I started hating it when they changed their color like lizard once their boss was indicted for corruption charge...

I mean before kishor shiroya was charged with corruption they were supporting every move of CIAA but the day their own boss got in jail they started opposing every move of CIAA...

I guess journalist should know the limit of their biasedness....

Himal has set itself as CNN which is biased to a limit.... all others are like Fox channel completely biased with "my way or no way" attitude

They say, Lauda Kanda is at No. 1 among the cases the Shahi Commission'slooking at these days... Let's see how things will turn up.

The journalists... Oh, they are not real journalists in Nepal. They too share the same attitude of general public, and they too have the similar atibutes of those bhratsa leaders, karmacharis etc.

C,mon, everyone wants to build a house in the Valley. Never thought of developing their villages.

What about you Prem? What good have you done to the country or anybody for that matter except for your own? I know that many politicians are/were irresponsible and corrupt. But how do you know it? Because the press could bring it out during these post-1990 years. Does it mean the netas before 1990 were clean? NO. The only differnece is that nobody could write or talk about their corruption and smuggling before. Just like now, after Feb 1, 2005. Who decides who is corrupt and fair? Not somebody like Gyane and his clique that has done every imaginable crime against Nepal and yet wants to appear as a clean cow. Not in my name. Maybe you are a darbariya's son now living in a western country and happy at the return of the old days because nobody will question you or your masters' wanton behavior. Not here in Nepal, because we know what it means to be free and have the right to decide the future of the country.
Also you can't paint all the journalists with the same brush as you can't grossly generalize politicians and politics. If a doctor is bad, wise men don't destroy the hospital, they have new qualified doctors. You might jump in to say that King G did that but no butcher has that right. It's the brave nepalis who should and will do that.
Think about it!!!

I know that many politicians are/were irresponsible and corrupt. But how do you know it? Because the press could bring it out during these post-1990 years. Does it mean the netas before 1990 were clean? NO. The only differnece is that nobody could write or talk about their corruption and smuggling before.....


Thats the freaking point... if the leaders b4 1990 were corrupt .. what were there democratic leaders looking for 15 years.. why did not they made a move to take action agains them.. why did not they try to limit the power of palace and put it in back seat.....
they were so busy earning money they did not care to do that.... So now King took the advantage of their weakness... and there is nothing wrong... as king is determined to clean after 1990 corrupt leaders cleared... so I would rather be happy with 50% cleaned country than with 100% dirty country.....

Our leaders and even us are biggest idiot.... when ever we came out of a autocratic system we never went ahead to demand back every thing that were looted from us during that period....

I mean Rana regime was over, but Ranas still remained and their wealth still remained with them... while we know the wealth belonged to us nepalese people.....

Panchayat regime was over, but panches still remained their wealth still remained... and more over they still ruled us... I mean panche are still one of the major political force in nepal just the thing is they changer their jacket labeled as Pancha to RPP.

So bottom line is it is those corrupt politicians mistake that they did not try to expose and clean the mistakes done during Panchayat... instead they went ahead following panche's steps...so today some one else took advantage of them....

For me Democratic leaders are more worst than panches... because these leaders made false promise and expoited us... they promised us democratic system but gave us corrupt autocratic system....

"Ke garchas Mangale Afnai dhanga le"

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