(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES condemns the attack on journalist Amrit Timilsina as he was carrying out his duties in Lalitpur district in the capital on 14 August 2006. According to the information compiled by CEHURDES, a group of people supporting owners of local stone quarries assaulted Amrit Timilsina, editor of the “Lalit Sandesh” fortnightly newspaper, published […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES condemns the attack on journalist Amrit Timilsina as he was carrying out his duties in Lalitpur district in the capital on 14 August 2006.
According to the information compiled by CEHURDES, a group of people supporting owners of local stone quarries assaulted Amrit Timilsina, editor of the “Lalit Sandesh” fortnightly newspaper, published in Lalitpur district. Timilsina, who is also a member of the Press Chautari journalists’ union, sustained minor injuries due to the attack.
Timilsina had gone to cover a protest being organised by local people against the operators of stone quarries. However, some people, who were supporting the quarry owners, manhandled local women who were protesting against the operation of the quarries, alleging that it had dried up sources of water in the area. They also destroyed Timilsina’s camera.
CEHURDES is concerned that senior officials of Lalitpur district, including the Chief District Officer and the Local Development Officer, although present when the incident occurred and accompanied by policemen, did not try to calm down the situation, nor stop vigilantes from attacking the local women and Timilsina.
CEHURDES condemns the assault on Timilsina while he was carrying out his duties. The organisation demands that the government provide compensation to Timilsina for the destruction of his camera, launch a probe into the incident and book the guilty.
CEHURDES would like to renew its call upon the authorities as well as members of the public not to target media personnel under any pretext.The organisation would also like to remind authorities that it is their primary duty to ensure safety of the general public and professionals, including journalists. The above incident could have been averted if the local administration had made arrangements for adequate security taking into account the sensitivity of the issue.
