The Kantipur chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed its distress over the federation’s central body’s recent decisions.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the FNJ chapter mentioned that the central body’s ‘disregard’ of the chapter’s efforts, and its call for protest, had not only undermined the FNJ Kantipur chapter but also raised questions about the central body’s affiliation with the chapter’s leadership.

According to the statement, the central body in its October 8 notice had extended support to the federation’s Kantipur chapter in the latter’s negotiation efforts with the Kantipur management, of which the FNJ chapter had earlier issued a written notice to the federation.

However, in the statement issued following the signing of a seven-point agreement, the federation mentions negotiations between “Kantipur management and ‘representatives’ of journalists.”

“We are surprised and saddened that the federation has disregarded the existence of its own unit,” reads the statement issued by Anil Giri, chair of the FNJ Kantipur chapter. “The federation’s move has also raised questions about whether the central body will maintain its affiliation with the current leadership of the chapter.”

According to the statement, all disciplinary actions taken against the working journalists have been annulled immediately as per the October 15 agreement, with many accepting the financial packages offered by the management.

“The federation has completely disregarded the FNJ chapter’s efforts and called for protests without any consultations,” the statement further reads.

The FNJ chapter stressed that the federation’s move was not only disrespectful but also jeopardised the plans of those who had accepted the offer.

The statement further requested fellow journalists and stakeholders not to partake in the federation’s efforts to ‘vandalise’ the agreement.

“The FNJ chapter will continue to work in the best interest and benefits of the journalists affiliated with Kantipur. But we request all stakeholders not to participate in the federation’s efforts to vandalise the agreement met between the management and the FNJ chapter.”