Kathmandu: Over 250 journalists today demonstrated in the Nepalese capital here protesting the disappearance of a reporter who was allegedly abducted by Maoists from southern Nepal four weeks ago.

Protesters, carrying photographs of Birendra Shah, marched near Singha Durbar Secretariat, the complex that houses the prime minister's office and parliament building. The protesters demanded immediate release of Shah, a reporter with private radio station Nepal FM.

Shah, who has published critical stories about the Maoists, was abducted from Unjanpipariya village in Bara district, 170 kms south of Kathmandu on October 5 allegedly by Maoists when he was on a reporting assignment.

Human rights groups and media organisations have condemned the abduction of Shah and asked for his immediate release.

"Our protest rally is to condemn the abduction and demand that Birendra Shah be immediately released," said Mahendra Bista of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, the umbrella body of media rights groups in the Himalayan nation.

Journalist Shah's wife Umarawati Devi Shah has also appealed to the Maoists to release him unconditionally. His family members are also going to meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today to press for his release, said Bista.

The government and the journalist body have blamed the Maoists for Shah's abduction. According to FNJ, dozens of witnesses said they saw Maoists taking Shah away.

The Maoists have denied their direct involvement in the abduction but formed their own investigating team to probe the allegations. Shah also worked for several local newspapers. He had written a number of articles about Maoists human rights abuses.

Source : PTI