A FM station has been set on fire at Tikapur of Kailali, a district in the southern plains of the far-west of Nepal, today, August 25.
A local Phulbari FM run by Resham Chaudhari was set on fire by the locals, especially those grown irate after the Monday carnage, where a two and half year old child including seven police persons were also killed.
According to BBC reporter from Dhangadhi, Umid Bagchand, the irate locals, especially the relatives of slain toddler, Takendra Saud, committed arson on the FM Station, as a vengeance of yesterday's scourge.
The Monday scourge was resulted after the indigenous Tharu people's agitation (agitation made demanding a separate Tharu autonomous province while federalizing the country) turned violent killing even a senior security official. The child belongs to the family of slain police person Netra Bahadur Saud.
As the FM station belonged to the indigenous Tharu person, the arson seems revengeful, Mr Bagchand added.
"Peaceful protest is people's right, but violent measure is always unwelcome and condemnable. While demanding for one's rights, others' rights should also be respected. The arson in the media house is targeted as a result of the Monday's violence. It is obviously a sheer violation of press freedom," Freedom Forum's Chairperson Taranath Dahal, said, adding that dialogue is the best way to bring the disgruntled ones in the peaceful course.
Both incidents of gruesome killing of security persons, of toddler and of people, and the arson in the media house are highly condemnable. The political parties and agitating sides and peoples are requested not to make media their target.
At such tense situation, Freedom Forum also request journalists to remain aware of security situation for personal safety and fair reporting.
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;