(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES condemns the attack on journalist Hari Bahadur Rawat and the seizure of materials from other reporters in the remote northern district of Humla. According to the state-run daily “Gorkhapatra”, Rawat, a reporter with the state-owned Rastriya Samachar Samiti (National News Agency, RSS), was injured when he was covering a scuffle between locals […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES condemns the attack on journalist Hari Bahadur Rawat and the seizure of materials from other reporters in the remote northern district of Humla.
According to the state-run daily “Gorkhapatra”, Rawat, a reporter with the state-owned Rastriya Samachar Samiti (National News Agency, RSS), was injured when he was covering a scuffle between locals and police personnel on 13 August 2006. Police also seized the camera and notebook of other journalists covering the altercation, the same news report said. The name of those whose camera and notebook were seized was not available.
According to the RSS news report, some five dozen people were injured when a row erupted over the issue of the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl by a policeman. Police charged locals as they were demanding an independent probe into the crime and action against the culprit.
CEHURDES condemns the act of mistreating journalists while they are carrying out their duties. The organisation demands that the government bear Rawat’s medical costs and that it provide him with compensation.
CEHURDES also calls upon the authorities to return the seized camera and notebook to the other journalists. CEHURDES further renews its call to authorities, as well as members of the public, to not target media personnel under any pretext. It must be borne in mind that journalists are neutral messengers and are do not take the part of any side of a conflict. The authorities must bear in mind that it is the duty of the state to ensure journalists’ safety. Finally, CEHURDES demands that the policemen responsible for mistreating locals, including journalists, be brought to book without further delay.
