Kishor Budathoki sustained a serious injury to his head and is currently undergoing treatment at Noble Hospital in Biratnagar.
(FNJ/IFEX) – The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) strongly condemns an incident involving a journalist who was brutally attacked by two local people in Sankhuwasabha. Kishor Budathoki, Deputy Secretary of the Sankhuwasabha Chapter of FNJ, was attacked by Bikash Rai and Rupak Rai at 9:30 p.m. on 10 August 2011 over a news story that alleged that Bikash Rai had been involved in a domestic violence incident. Budathoki sustained a serious injury to his head inflicted by a sharp object and is currently undergoing treatment at the Noble Hospital in Biratnagar.
The assailants reportedly referred repeatedly to the article about Bikash Rai while they were beating Budathoki.
It is shameful that the journalist’s assailants were not punished immediately after Budathoki was attacked. FNJ calls on the government to immediately apprehend and punish the journalist’s assailants and assist in his medical treatment.
This incident clearly demonstrates the current situation of freedom of expression and security in Nepal. FNJ wishes for Budathoki’s speedy recovery.
