JANUARY 29, 2013 Finally, the district attorney of Dailekha on January 28, 2013 filed a murder case against nine district cadres and leaders of the Maoists parties (ruling UCPN-Maoist, and breakaway faction CPN-Maoist) in the district court Dailekh following the due investigation and establishing proofs on their involvement in the murder of journalist Dekendra Thapa.
Those filed cases against are- Lachhiram Ghartimagar, 45, of Dwari-1, Nirak Bahadur Ghartimagar,41, of Baluwatar-9, Bir Bahadur KC,42, of Baluwatar-4, Hari Lal Punmagar,49, of Dwari-3, Jay Bahadur Shahi of Raniban-1, Bam Bahadur Khadka Arun and Keshav Khadka of Chhiudipusakot-1, Bam Bahadur Khadka Mukti of Katti-1 and Baktiram Lamichhane of Dwari-1.
Despite frequent pressures on the district attorney of Dailekh to halt the investigation by the government (even by the Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Attorney General Mukti Pradhan), the nine accused behind murder have been taken to the court which has created hope of justice among the victim's family and the entire Nepali media.
"With this legal process forwarded to the court, an initiative is taken for the respect of the rule of law which has made justice possible to the victim's family," said Taranath Dahal, Chairperson of the Freedom Forum, adding that it was a welcome move came after long battle waged by victim's family and the media persons of the country.
Freedom Forum therefore welcomes the district attorney's success in investigation and filing the murder case in the district court after long time.
Meanwhile, the journalists displaced after death threats by the ruling Maoist party cadres returned their working stations of Dailekh district from Surkhet on 29 January 2013.
According to Puskar Thapa, a journalist from Dailekh, they were returning home from Surkhet as one of their demand-filing a murder case against murderers of fellow journalist Dekendra Thapa- was met by the administration.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np
Email: info@freedomforum.org.np; freedomforum@enet.com.np