-Update-
Editor-In-Chief at https://www.kalikadainik.com/, Shishir Simkhada was attacked for reporting news in Bharatpur on August 17. Bharatpur lies in the Bagmati Province of Nepal.
Editor Simkhada shard with Freedom Forum that news about Kalika municipality's former Mayor Khum Narayan Shrestha and his personal assistant Deepak Lamichhane's alleged involvement in a corruption case was published on the news portal on August 16.
"Then, on the day of incident, Lamichhane along with two others hit me in the market with his helmet shouting- you are the one who wrote the news, I will kill you", said Simkhada adding,"however, the public gathered and rescued me. I got injury on my back."
Simkhada also informed that he has filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Chitwan on August 17.
The attackers- Former Mayor Shrestha, PA Lamichhane, along with his brother Dilip Lamichhane, Sameer Sapkota of Padampur and Nikesh Nepal of Ratnanagar-5, Jhuwani, Tarauli are still absconding after eight days of the incident. District Police Office says seach operation is ongoing.
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack. Shrestha and Lamichhane being public authority should be aware of journalists' right to free press and the provision to file compaint at the Press Council Nepal for any discontent over published news.
Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to respect journalists rights and resort to lawful way. The security authority is also urged to ensure safety of the journalist and create fear free atmosphere for fellow journalists.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np