8 minutes ago KATHMANDU (AFP) - Nepalese police arrested 80 journalists who staged a demonstration demanding the restoration of press freedom in the country which has been shaken by a wave of pro-democracy protests.
The journalists were arrested because they staged the demonstration in a central area of the capital Kathmandu where protests have been banned since King Gyanendra seized power in February, police said on Friday.
Although a number of journalists have been arrested in the wake of the king's takeover, this marked the largest single roundup.
"The journalists violated the prohibition law and this forced our men to clear them from the prohibited area. In this process, we arrested 80 journalists," a police inspector told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
He declined further comment.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists said those arrested included the group's chairman, Buishnu Nishthuri, and Rishi Dhamala, president of the Reporters Club.
"Over a dozen journalists were injured in the police baton charge," federation general secretary Mahendra Bista told AFP.
An AFP photographer Devendra Man Singh was beaten over the head while covering the protest and needed stitches.
Thousands of people have been turning out for daily protests organised by an alliance of seven political parties demanding restoration of democracy in the impoverished kingdom.
The nation has been in turmoil since Gyanendra seized absolute power, a move he said was needed to end a deadly Maoist revolt aimed at overthrowing the monarchy.
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