Four reporters were intimidated while covering news in Ranisain, Bajura. Bajura lies in Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.
Reporters Janak Bohora (Image TV), Anil Shahi (Radio Budinanda) and Jeetjung Kattel (Radio Api) were harassed and forced to delete their recordings during the incident on May 18.
Speaking to Freedom Forum, reporter Bohora said they had travelled to Ranisain to promote the area as a tourism destination due to its scenic beauty. However, the area has recently become a site of conflict over a geographical dispute between Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
Reporter Bohora said, "On May 18 as we reached Lampata, three individuals asked who we were and threatened us to return home. But we continued reporting and recording photos and videos with our mobile phones and camera. Meanwhile, around 250–300 people approached us and ordered to delete all recordings. They also forcefully seized our mobile phones, but later returned them after deleting all the recordings."
"The mob also shouted- Who is Anil Shahi among you? We will not spare him. As they could not identify reporter Anil Shahi, we escaped a possible mishap and left the place", Bohora added. Reporter Shahi has been continuously reporting on the ongoing conflict in the bordering villages.
In a separate incident on May 19, Janata TV reporter Umesh Bahadur Shahi’s drone camera was damaged while he was reporting in Lampata. Locals asked him to hand over the drone and threw it on the ground. Reporter Shahi informed FF that the drone camera, fans and gimbal were completely damaged.
“This incident should be raised as a national issue and our safety must be ensured,” reporter Bohora said.
Freedom Forum condemns the incidents. The concerned authorities are urged to ensure the safety and security of journalists reporting from such sensitive areas. Journalists are also requested to adopt necessary precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents.
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