Senior most and respected journalist Ramesh Ghimire, who has been in journalism profession for the last 48 years, is now working amidst constant threats and insecurity in Dhanusha, the southern mid-Tarai region. Editor and publisher of Dhansuah Weekly, journalist Ghimire has been working under turbulent situation resulting from the escalating ethnic conflict between Madhesi and Pahadi (people from hilly area) community. Ghimire belongs to Pahadi community and publishes his newspaper from the place where there is high majority of Madhesi population.
“I have been threatened several times over telephone. It has made me insecure and disturbed to continue with my profession. I am bringing out newspaper under rising terror”, said Ghimire, adding that all of his family members excluding him were displaced from the place and are now residing in Hetauda.
The unknown persons threatened him to “stop publishing newspaper” otherwise they would capture his property or to make happened any terrific incident. Besides this, they have also been warning printing press to not publish his newspapers. The threats have not been disclosed due to the fear of consequence.
Freedom Forum strongly protests the incident of thereat against estimable journalist who has served long for the development of Nepali journalism from outside valley and government’s apathy towards guaranteeing security to journalists in conflict-ridden zone like Tarai.
The Forum drew serious attention of local administration (Shambhu Koirala, Chief District Officer of Dhanusha) to ensure security to his life, profession and property and to make enabling environment where journalists could discharge their duty and responsibility in a free and fair way.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022