FNJ condemns attacks on journalists

Kathmandu, October 11:

Federation of Nepalese Journalist today condemned the attack on a journalist in Dharan.

A group of six armed persons attacked journalist Ananda Santoshi Rai at Zero Point last night at 9.30 when he was going to Dharan from Dhankuta with printing material. He was robbed of his mobile set and SIM card, cash and other belongings. Rai is undergoing treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, the FNJ statement adds.

The incident took place at a time when the human rights organisations and the journalists’ bodies are still trying to trace the whereabouts of journalist Birendra Shah, who was abducted on October 5 by those owing allegiance to Maoists.

On the same day, another unidentified group set ablaze a vehicle belonging to Bhola Thapa, a Kavre-based journalist, causing loss of property worth two million rupees, the FNJ said.

Meanwhile, yesterday morning an Armed Police Force officer threatened Bhubaneshwar Adhikari, the editor-publisher of Tikapur Daily, at his office in Kailali.

In yet another incident, cadres of the Young Communist League yesterday thrashed Nimesh

Karna, a journalist of Janaki FM, Dhanusha. Pappu Gurung, a journalist of Mahakali FM, was abducted by Maoist activists. He was released after the FNJ-led mission rescued him, the FNJ said while urging all to stand for press freedom and individual security and asked the authorities concerned to initiate action against the guilty.