Reporter at Radio Dhanushadham 107.3, Gobinda Yadav was severely attacked while covering news in Dhanusha District, Madhesh Province, on June 25.
Reporter Yadav told Freedom Forum that he was reporting on the construction of a road in Karjanha Municipality-7, Dhanusha, following complaints from local residents that substandard materials had been used in the construction. While he tried to take byte of the ward chairperson Ramsevak Yadav about locals' complaint and ongoing construction, Chairperson Yadav ordered him to stop filming. Then, Chairperson's son kicked the reporter and struck Yadav on the head with a metal object (fighter). As Yadav began bleeding, both the ward chairperson and his son fled the scene.
Thereafter, local residents informed the nearby police station. Reporter Yadav was taken to a local hospital where he received three stitches for head injury.
Talking to Freedom Forum on July 1, Yadav said, "On June 26, I had gone to the Area Police Office, Mirchaiya to file a complaint against both the father and son, but police officers refused to register it. On June 30, police officials told me that they will notify me as soon as the complaint was registered. I have not received any information yet."
Deputy Superintendent of Police Purushottam Pandey told Freedom Forum that the complaint was registered today (July 1) and that the delay occurred due to some technical issues.
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack on reporter. The incident is a serious violation of press freedom and the public's right to information. FF strongly urges the concerned authorities to conduct fair investigation into the incident and ensure justice for the journalist.
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