DAILEKH-The security forces and the Maoists in Dailekh are competing to intimidate, threaten and pamper journalists so as to get favourable coverage. Four years ago, the Maoists established their people's government in Naumule after attacking the Area Police Office and killing 32 policemen. Since then, they had threatened to \'clean out' journalists who dared write against them. Their threats were not to be brushed aside, they proved this by killing radio journalist Dekendra Thapa last year. Several journalists fled after the Maoists threatened to cut off their hands and legs. But the security forces are also thrashing both journalists and human rights workers accusing them of being pro-Maoist. Many journalists were intimidated and forced by the Maoists to write positive stories about them. "If you write anything to defame our party, you will end up like Dekendra," the Maoists have warned us. Then state security warns action will be taken against those who write positive things about the rebels. "You must write the exact information we give you about them, if you go to villages without our permission, you will be victims of crossfire," the army tells us. Journalists in the district are tired of threats and as of now, have decided to boycott news of both the security forces and the Maoists.