(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 3 August 2003, Assistant Police Inspector Min Prasad Sigdel, of the district police office’s Crime Investigation Section, attempted to beat crime reporter Krishna Hari Ghimire. Ghimire, who works for the daily “Annapurna Post”, went to the police station to gather information on the killing of Amar Lama, former managing editor of “Taja […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 3 August 2003, Assistant Police Inspector Min Prasad Sigdel, of the district police office’s Crime Investigation Section, attempted to beat crime reporter Krishna Hari Ghimire. Ghimire, who works for the daily “Annapurna Post”, went to the police station to gather information on the killing of Amar Lama, former managing editor of “Taja Khabar” weekly newspaper. Lama was killed by unknown assailants on 27 July (see IFEX alerts of 5 August and 28 July 2003).
Sigdel entered the Crime Investigation Section office and began shouting and manhandling Ghimire. The assistant police inspector verbally abused Ghimire and, in a threatening manner, challenged his professionalism.
Deputy Senior Police Officers Bhupendra and Madhu and Police Inspectors Rajib Basnet and Kiran Jung Thapa entered the office after hearing loud noises and apologised to Ghimire for Sigdel’s behaviour. They also assured Ghimire that they would take action against Sigdel within the police department.
CEHURDES condemns the behaviour of Assistant Police Inspector Sigdel and urges that freedom of expression be respected. CEHURDES further requests that Nepal Police officials ensure that journalists can work in an environment conducive to impartial news reporting.