Journalists reporting a protest were injured in a police attack in Kaski on November 5. Kaski lies in Gandaki Province in Nepal.
According to information provided by FF province representative Rajan Upadhyay, correspondent at Kantipur Television Indra Poudel, Public 4K Television’s cameraperson Rajkumar Majhi and editor at drishyamkhabar.com Binod Lamichhane were attacked while reporting protest of the Rastriya Swatantra Party cadres at Shahidchowk, Pokhara. Police baton charged the journalists while controlling the mob. Journalist Poudel received injury on his hand and his mobile fell into drain. Cameraperson Majhi and editor Lamichane also sustained minor injuries as police kicked with boot.
Representative Upadhyaya also quoted Superintendent of Police at District Police Office Shyam Babu Oliya as saying the attack was not targeted towards journalists.
Moreover, journalists had not worn press jackets and carried visible identity cards which made it difficult to differentiate them while controlling the mob, according to police.
The party cadres have been protesting against the arrest of their leader Rabi Lamichhane.
However, a fellow journalist Apil Tripathi commented that cameraperson Majhi was attacked even though he was carrying an identity card and a camera with the clear logo of media house.
Freedom Forum condemns the attack upon journalists while reporting. FF urges the journalists to use safety gears while reporting protest and the police persons on-duty are also urged to differentiate journalists and the demonstrators thus, ensuring their safety. Similarly, protestors are strongly urged to respect journalists.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np