The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Province 1 committee and FNJ Sunsari branch staged a human chain in the main square of Itahari against the Media Council Bill registered in Parliament and abuse on journalists.

Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Province 1 committee General Secretary Bibek Gautam said that the government was trying to curb press freedom by registering the restrictive Media Council Bill in the parliament.

He said, "If the bill is passed, the press will be in crisis. There should be an immediate amendment to the bill." It has been said that the protest will continue until there will be a suitable atmosphere for journalism in Itahari.

Meanwhile, an investigation committee formed by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Committee of province 1 has started their work to investigate the matter of journalist being abused by Mayor Duwarikalal Chaudhary.

On Saturday, the four-member committee, led by Mohan Kaji Neupane to study facts about abuse collected information on the abuses and expression of the Area chief as well as opinion and suggestions of journalists from Sunsari at a meeting.

The committee will investigate the incident and submit its report to the central committee. FNJ demanded the safe environment for the journalist, expressing that insecurity has increased in Itahari because of Mayor.