(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES is deeply concerned over an attempt to bomb a vehicle carrying journalists in eastern Nepal. Amid the ongoing unrest in the south-eastern plains region of the country, known as Terai or Madhes, where various armed groups are actively demanding autonomy and acknowledgment of their ethnic rights, a number of journalists came under […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES is deeply concerned over an attempt to bomb a vehicle carrying journalists in eastern Nepal.
Amid the ongoing unrest in the south-eastern plains region of the country, known as Terai or Madhes, where various armed groups are actively demanding autonomy and acknowledgment of their ethnic rights, a number of journalists came under unexpected attack when unidentified persons on motorbikes hurled a bomb at the vehicle in which they were travelling. The journalists were on their way to Kerabari, in nearby Morang district, to cover a presentation by Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan regarding a government programme.
The bomb narrowly missed the vehicle, in which half a dozen reporters from different media outlets were travelling. Luckily, the journalists escaped unhurt.
The incident occurred in Sonapur, Sunsari district, on 29 April 2007, on the second day of a regional strike called by an armed group named “Terai Tigers”.
The six journalists who were travelling in the vehicle were: Saraswoti Karki, Chuman Basnet, Uddhav Ghimire, Gokul Parajuli, Dhruba Rijal and Bishnu Pokharel.
CEHURDES condemns the attack and is profoundly worried about the continued targeting of media workers a year after the restoration of democracy, following the success of the People’s Movement.
