Three prominent civil society members have demanded security with Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on February 5.

Chairperson of Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), Subodh Raj Pyakurel, former Under Secretary General of the United Nations Kul Chandra Gautam and journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, in a joint letter, have demanded security with the PM.

Stating that recent UCPN-M affiliated monthly magazine, Lalrakshyak published a cover photo and an article blaming that INSEC Chairperson Pyakurel, UN former Under Secretary General Gautam and journalist Dixit are enemies of people, they have sought security with the government.

"If we are attacked, top leaders of UCPN-M will be responsible for it. We clarify that they cannot ignore the issue simply by saying that it was against party policy in the case that we were attacked," the letter reads.

"We will not step back to express our independent views despite the allegation by the magazine. It is a direct attempt of the party to instigate its cadres. The leadership of UCPN-M should understand it," the letter said.  

"We know that the objectionable coverage of the magazine has made an attempt to terrify journalists, human rights activists, intellectuals and independent citizens," the letter said, adding, "Such attempt will end in vain."

"As Dr Bhattarai is Prime Minister of the entire nation and the people, he should respond to the coverage of the article in the magazine," the letter said, demanding that action should be taken against the magazine and its editor who published the cover photo and related article.