Kathmandu, Oct. 30 -- Journalists, press freedom advocates and political leaders have condemned police entries to newsrooms and the detention of journalists, saying that attempts to identify news sources by taking journalists into custody violate constitutional and legal protections for press freedom.

Plainclothes police officers visited the offices of Nepal Press, Naya Patrika Daily, Diyo Post and Motivate News on Friday, seeking journalists associated with reports concerning senior government and judicial officials.

Police took Nepal Press journalist Bishwamani Subedi from his newsroom to the Cyber Bureau for questioning. Officers also barged into Naya Patrika's office in Putalisadak looking for reporter Nawaraj Mainali, while another...