Nepal banda called by Madhesis, Adivasis and Janajatis on Sunday saw acts of violence and vandalism that have been condemned nationally and internationally. Sunday’s banda was especially condemned because of targeted attacks on journalists. 
Several media houses across the country have been attacked, their vehicles torched, cameras vandalised and people physically assaulted. More than a dozen vehicles belonging to various media houses were vandalised in Rupandehi district alone. Other districts including Nawalparasi, Banke, Kailali, Salyan, etc also saw attacks on the media. Similarly, banda enforcers and those resisting it clashed in Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Chitwan and Pokhara. An ambulance from Parbat district, carrying a patient was also vandalised in Pokhara's Prithvi Chowk.
In Kathmandu valley, the protestors gathered around Chabahil, Gaushala, Koteswor, Gwarko, Pulchowk and Naya Baneswor where they vandalised property and manhandled media persons. Vehicles belonging to media houses including Kantipur publications, Nepal 1, Image channel, Himalayan TV, Avenues TV and Karobar Daily were vandalised and torched. In Lalitpur, two people were injured after they clashed with the crowd of protestors and office of Kantipur FM station was ransacked by the crowd.
The Federation of Nepalese Journalists issued a press release on Sunday afternoon strongly condemning attacks on the press freedom. It also led a peaceful march of journalists from FNJ building in Sinamangal to Maitighar Mandala as a symbolic protest against the attacks. Similarly, National Human Rights Commission has also come down heavily against the organisers of the banda and urged them to ensure such things are not repeated in future. The international body of journalists, IFJ has already expressed its concern over growing number of attacks on journalists last week.
Meanwhile, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), the umbrella organisation of indigenous groups has expressed its regret about attacks on the media. Similarly, the Prime Minister has also condemned the attacks, calling those involved anarchists and criminals. However, general secretary of the NEFIN, Ang Kaji Sherpa blamed the government and 'reactionary forces' of infiltrating what he called peaceful gatherings and resorting to violence. He also got into a heated skirmish with journalists at a program in reporter’s club after he threatened to punish the media for its ‘biased’ coverage.
The banda was officially called off at 5 pm by NEFIN, but fear of uncertainty kept people off the streets. The protestors have also formed a 26 member team to hold talks with the government. The meeting is expected to take place tomorrow.