NOVEMBER 26, 2008 Freedom Forum Chairperson Taranath Dahal and General Secretary Pradip Ghimire expressed concerns and solidarity to journalist’s organizations for the search of Kailali-based journalist, JP Joshi ‘Pandit’ who went missing since October 8. Under the special mission to Kailali to know the objective reality behind the disappearance of journalist Pandit, Chairperson Dahal and General Secretary Ghimire on November 25, Tuesday visited his house in Kailali, a mid-western district of Nepal and took information regarding the incident from family members, local journalists and administration.
Pushpa Raj Joshi, brother of journalist Pandit apprised them about the incident urging to take efforts for the search of his brother.
On the occasion, Chairperson Dahal said that he would take necessary initiatives to know the whereabouts of journalist Pandit calling for solidarity from national and international stakeholders. “The first priority of the hour is to know the condition of journalist Pandit; all sides should internalize such incidents being carried out against journalist and help intensify the search”.
It is ridiculous on the part of the government to become mute spectator when a citizen disappears, Dahal added, stressing the need to create a massive pressure on local administration at district level and the government at national level to probe into the incident to spell out the reality.
Meanwhile, Federation of Nepali Journalist (FNJ) Kailali Chapter staged protest rally from Traffic Sauraha Chowk to LN Chowk of Dhangadhi bazaar followed by press conference in the street on November 26, Wednesday, demanding the whereabouts of journalist Pandit.
Speaking on the occasion, Sitadevi Joshi, wife of disappeared journalist Pandit alleged that local businessperson Lokendra Raut of Attariya had hand behind the incident, said Kailali-based journalist Shivaraj Yogi.
Similarly, brother Pushpa Raj Joshi suspected Kailali District In-charge Hari Chaudhari ‘Utsav’ for the incident of disappearance citing that his brother had been targeted after he wrote article on Janadisha Daily protesting the demand of Tharu autonomous state, Yogi added.
Now, the family members of Pandit are also feeling insecure following the incident.
Journalist Pandit was the Editor of Dhangadhi Edition of Janadisha National Daily closed to ruling party CPN (Maoist) and Chairperson of Association of Revolutionary Journalists, Kailali Chapter. A local resident of Malakheti VDC -3 Malika tole, in the district, Pandit is also a member of the CPN-Maoist Kailali District Committee.
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