The cadres of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) attacked singer Ramaji Nepali from Baglung municipality, and broke his leg, reasoning he sang for the opposition party candidate in the recent by-election of the Constituent Assembly in Baglung district, on April 10.
Bard Nepali had sung in praise of the dead leader Hari Bahadur Khadka of the Nepali Congress, a democratic party, showing his favour to NC candidate and Khadka's wife Champa Devi.
To this, the CPN (UML) cadres thrashed Nepali and broke his leg. As a result, Nepali had to be admitted in a hospital in Pokhara, a city in the western region of Nepal.
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the incident as it is a gross violation of freedom of expression.
It is an attempt to stifle the fundamental rights of freedom of expression.
Although the police have arrested some cadres of the CPN (UML) involved in the attack, fair investigation is yet to intensify. The attackers must be meted out strong punishment with fair investigation.
FF wishes speedy recuperation of the bard Nepali.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np
Email: monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np;