(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 8 November 2003, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels expelled reporters Ishori Neupane and Kishor Jung Thapa, of “The Kathmandu Post” daily and “Gorkhapatra Daily”, from their Khanibaas stronghold area, in northern Gorkha. Neupane and Thapa had been travelling to cover the Maoist insurgency, social issues and the tourism business in the […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 8 November 2003, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels expelled reporters Ishori Neupane and Kishor Jung Thapa, of “The Kathmandu Post” daily and “Gorkhapatra Daily”, from their Khanibaas stronghold area, in northern Gorkha.
Neupane and Thapa had been travelling to cover the Maoist insurgency, social issues and the tourism business in the Mt. Manasalu region.
“The Kathmandu Post” quoted Neupane as saying, “They prevented us from moving beyond Sirdibas, the entry point to the northern areas.” The report also said, “After two hours of heated discussions, the rebels forced [the journalists] to leave the area under their control, saying that they currently had no plan to entertain media personnel travelling in the area without permission from the People’s Government.”
Based on information from Neupane, the report further quoted the rebels as saying, “From now on you have to write in favour of the Maoist revolution.” Earlier, two rebel group members at Armala had allowed the journalists to move ahead after questioning them.
“The Kathmandu Post” reported that the rebels have declared the northern part of the district to be a restricted area for outsiders, including media personnel.
CEHURDES condemns the restrictions placed on the journalists. The organisation further urges Maoist leaders to ensure freedom of movement for journalists and free expression activists in their stronghold areas.
