Let us conclude peace process promptly through consensus: Vice-Chair Sapkota

Kathmandu: Vice-Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Agni Prasad Sapkota has said that the ongoing peace process should be concluded at the earliest possible.

Addressing a ‘morning procession’ organized by the Press Centre Nepal to commemorate the 22nd Memorial Day of Krishna Sen ‘Ichhuk’ here today, he said a sensitive topic like the peace process should be taken to a conclusion without politicizing it.

Stating that Krishna Sen’s contribution to Nepal’s journalism is invaluable, he said the entire journalism fraternity should strive for justice.

Chair of Socialist Press Organisation Bishwamani Subedi Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) former secretary Om Sharma, Press Council Nepal’s member Deepak Pandey and Press Centre president Bishnu Sapkota ‘Jugal’ said journalists including Icchuk lost their lives or were incarcerated while pushing their pens in support of the nation and the people during the conflict period, stressing on moving ahead in unison to materialize their dreams.

Icchuk, a human rights activist, writer and also the editor of the Janadesh Weekly, died on May 27, 2002, while in police custody in Kathmandu. Baral was named the winner of the Krishna Sen Ichhuk Journalism Award Meanwhile, senior journalist Komalnath Baral has been picked as the winner of the ‘Krishna Sen Icchuk Journalism Award’ this year.

Baral is also the former Chairman of Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). A jury comprising the former ambassador and former editor of The Rising Nepal, an English language daily, the Chairperson of the Minimum Wages Fixation Committee Sangeeta Khadka and journalist Deependra Rawal decided to confer the Award on senior journalist Baral.

The award carries a purse of Rs 25,000, said Press Centre Nepal’s general secretary Santosh Poudel.

Similarly, the ‘Shakti Tara Memorial Journalism Award’ is to be conferred on journalist Dharmendra Karna. Karna is the central advisor of Press Centre Nepal and the editor of Samayabodh vernacular weekly. Likewise, this year’s ‘Missing Combatants Memorial Journalism Award’ is to be presented to journalist Manjima Dhakal.

Each of these awards carries a purse of Rs 25,000. The awards will be handed to the winners on February 28, 2025, on the occasion of the Establishment Day of Press Centre Nepal.