District Reporter of Bajura with Image Television, Chakka Bahadur Malla was attacked by an unknown gang on 13th July (Thursday) while returning home in the headquarter Martadi at 2:30 pm. Bajura district lies in Province 7 of Nepal.
In a conversation with Freedom Forum, Malla said, “While I was returning home from Bajura's headquarter Martadi after a meeting with municipality and election officers, a group of 15-20 persons came all of sudden and attacked me. Meanwhile, when I tried to escape myself and run across, the attackers hit on my head and different parts of my body."
According to Malla, the gang was under the leadership of a person named, Nar Bahadur Raut, who usually threaten and torture the locals of Bajura. He also confirmed that he doesn’t have any personal grudges with the gang at all. Even after, showing the identity card the gang did not stop, added Malla.
Along with Malla, some locals and municipality officers were also trapped by the gang.
Afterwards, he had even lodged a complaint at the Metropolitan Police Office, Bajura, informing about the incident and the gang has been arrested as well.
Similarly, in a separate incident, correspondent with Radio Paurakhi 90.4 broadcast from Bajura Devendra Nath was pelted stones by unknown group while reporting on vote counting on 30th June (friday)."
A group of locals threw stones on me outside the vote counting site, however, despite some minor injuries nothing major happened. Later, the attackers apologized for attack." shared the reporter.
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack on journalist. Attack on a journalist merely because of their profession -their right to free reporting- is a serious concern. It is a sheer violation of press freedom. FF urges the concerned bodies to investigate into the case and respect journalists' right to free reporting. The local authorities must stay informed to provide security by obviating further attack.
For More Information,
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np