(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 15 August 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels released journalist Durga Thapa. Thapa was released following negotiations led by the vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Bipul Pokhrel. The talks were held at an undisclosed location in Surkhet district. Thapa is a correspondent for the Nepali-language daily “Nepal Samacharpatra” […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – On 15 August 2004, Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) rebels released journalist Durga Thapa. Thapa was released following negotiations led by the vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Bipul Pokhrel. The talks were held at an undisclosed location in Surkhet district.
Thapa is a correspondent for the Nepali-language daily “Nepal Samacharpatra” and a district representative of the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), a human rights organisation. He was abducted by CPN-Maoist rebels on 31 July from the Ranibas area, Surkhet district. Thapa was accused of not supporting the CPN-Maoist movement.
CEHURDES Secretary Pradip Ghimire, who was a member of the negotiating team, said Thapa was subjected to “mental torture”. The negotiating team held three rounds of talks over the last 10 days.
CEHURDES welcomes Thapa’s release and urges CPN-Maoist leaders to release all abducted journalists and ensure the safety of journalists in rebel stronghold areas.
