This attack is an act of anarchy. I have directed the Home Ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communications to take action against the responsible without any hesitation. A proposal regarding this will also be discussed with the council of ministers.

-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal

This incident is part of a planned conspiracy to weaken the basic institutions of democracy. We take it as a serious violation of human rights and an attack on press freedom. This incident illustrates that the Maoist totalitarian ideology still remains strong.

-Nepali Congress

If such an attack can occur during broad daylight on a Kathmandu based publishing house like Himalmedia, we can only imagine what happens in other districts. Is this not a blatant attack on press freedom? We see reflections of totalitarianism in the name of communism.

-Madhab Kumar Nepal, CPN-UML

The attackers have already been identified. The Maoists should take action against their party members.

-Ian Martin, UNMIN

This attack on the fourth estate is shocking and makes us question the future of the country.

-Rastriya Prajatantra Party

Himalmedia hired goons to attack our members. Six of our friends were injured.

-Salikram Jammarattel, Maoist union boss

This attack was not only on Himalmedia but a deliberate and planned assault on press freedom. It is unfortunate that the people involved in this incident are affiliated to the ruling party.

-Federation of Nepali Journalists

We urge the government to take particular care to safeguard press freedom. After the recent wave of attacks on the media, the Maoist party took no steps to punish those responsible. The government must guarantee the right of every voice to be heard by punishing violators and by not allowing its supporters to act with the impunity.

-Reporters Without Borders/Reporters sans frontiers

We call upon the political leadership in Nepal, including the Prime Minister and the Minister for Information and Communications, to promptly denounce this act of vandalism and take personal responsibility for ensuring that the guilty are appropriately sanctioned. We call on all political parties in Nepal and the wider civil society, to apply existing rules on the recognition of journalists' trade unions. Any amendments to these rules should come from a broad process of consultation, rather than be forced upon one or the other side by mob action.

-IFJ Asia-Pacific

The perpetrators of this assault must be held accountable. There is no justification for the use of violence and intimidation by any party or organisation in an attempt to control the media or threaten freedom of the press in Nepal. The culture of impunity that has protected some criminals from prosecution for violent, illegal actions should end.

-U.S. Embassy

The use of violence against journalists and the threat to renew such attacks if the media does not "mend its' ways" is particularly worrying. This aggression represents completely unacceptable behaviour within the framework of a normal and democratic political life. Press freedom is one of the most important components of democracy and these renewed attempts to subjugate the independent media signals a very disturbing trend that must be stopped.

-The European Union

The attack is the latest in a series of assaults against the media in Nepal. OHCHR-Nepal encourages the Nepal Police, which investigated Sunday's incident, to complete its investigation as swiftly as possible so charges can be laid. It also urges State authorities to take all steps necessary to ensure that the media has a secure environment in which to do its work.

-OHCHR-Nepal

This is an act against the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the constitution of Nepal which secures the right to information and press freedom.

-Nepal Bar Association

KIRAN PANDAY UNMIN chief Ian Martin observes Himalmedia premises on Tuesday. He expressed shock and urged Maoists to take action against those involved in the incident.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Journalists, rights activists and civil society members unite in a protest rally, organised by Federation of Nepali Journalists, for press freedom and security at Baneswor on Monday.

KIRAN PANDAY The FNJ protest rally was charged by police at Maitighar Mandala and FNJ secretary Ramji Dahal was injured and was hospitalised.

KIRAN PANDAY A sit in protest was staged in front of the south gate of Singha Darbar on Tuesday to condemn the attacks on the press.

ANUP PRAKASH UML General-Secretary Jhalnath Khanal visits Himalmedia office on Wednesday to express solidarity.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Himal Khabarpatrika editor Kanak Mani Dixit briefs a delegation of well wishers at the Himalmedia office on Tuesday.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA Human rights activist Subodh Pathak with FNCCI chair Kush Kumar Joshi observe the vandalised office premises.