Journalist Lokendra Khanal, Rukum district correspondent to Nagarik Dainik sustained blunt force injury in his head on 10th November 2018 at Bafiyakot 6 Manma West Rukum after being attacked by local Kamal Jung Khanal and Karna Bahadur Kusari. West Rukum lies in Karnali province.
As per the telephonic conversation with Freedom Forum, journalist Khanal informed that he sustained the injuries while he tried to separate the clash between two youth club at the Rukum.
"I reached the place when youths of two clubs namely Pragatisheel Yuwa Club and Samajsudhar Yuwa Club were fighting with each other. When I reached there I tried calming them down. But suddenly Kamal Jung Khanal and Karna Bahadur Kusari attacked me saying me that I write news against the local government and I should stop doing that", Journalist Khanal shared.
Following the injury, he was taken to local hospital where he received 4 stitches in his head. Although he filed FIR against the culprit, the offenders are not arrested by the police.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is the sheer violation of press freedom. The police must book the culprit under the law and take action as soon as possible. Attacking journalist and targeting them for writing news is against the press freedom hence concerned authority must take action immediately.
For More Information:
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
01-4102030
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np