Nepal nets journalists to block rebel interview

Gham Raj Luintel, acting station manager of Radio Sagarmatha FM, told AFP two armed police made the arrests without any warrant.

He named those arrested as journalists Durga Karki, Dipak Babur Aryal, Dipak Raj Pandey and Punya Bhandari and technician Rajendra Rijal but said Durga Karki, a woman, was later freed.

"The policemen handed over two letters asking the radio station to stop its transmission, alleging it was promoting terrorist activities," said Luintel, who is also spokesman for the Save Independent Radio Movement.

The raid was carried out as the station was attempting to relay a transmission from the BBC Nepali Service but Luintel did not say which programme was about to be aired.

The service on Sunday evening was carrying an interview with Maoist rebel chief Prachanda.

Nepalnews.com website said Prachanda spoke about last week's agreement between the rebels and a seven-party political alliance on forming a united front to restore democracy, after King Gyanendra sacked the government and seized power in February.

Officials after the royal takeover also announced curbs on the media and on public protests.

Nepalnews.com said a total of seven FM stations outside Kathmandu were also forced to drop their transmission of the BBC Nepali service Sunday.