Authorities in Kathmandu on Wednesday summoned editors of five Nepalese weeklies seeking explanation over blank editorial pages in their publications since the imposition of press censorship in the Himalayan kingdom.

Gopal Budhathoki of Sanghu weekly, Kabir Rana of Deshantar, Rajendra Vaid of Bimarsha, Nawaraj Timilsina of Prakash and Shashidhar Bhandari of Hank were summoned at the district administration office at Babarmahal by the police, Rana said.

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The officials interrogated Rana and Vaid. The three others were asked to come on Thursday.

A team of senior advocates, led by Nepal Bar Association Chairman Shambhu Thapa, has provided legal consultancy to the scribes free of cost.

The government has detained seven Nepalese journalists since the imposition of emergency.

The government had deployed army men at various media establishments for over a week. Later, the army was removed after sharp reaction from international rights bodies. It had also issued a circular not to publish anything that contradicted the February 1 Royal Proclamation.

About 600 journalists have been laid off and 1,000 more face the prospect of losing job after the introduction of press censorship. News broadcast by private radios and FM stations have been stopped for an indefinite period.