A reporter was killed when a media house was set on fire by protesters demanding the restoration of the monarchy.
This statement was originally published on freedomforum.org.np on 28 March 2025.
Freedom Forum has been saddened over several brutal incidents of press freedom violations, including the death of a journalist and the attack on another, in the protest organized by pro-monarchy demonstrators in the federal capital, Kathmandu on March 28.
The protestors vandalized media houses, attacked media persons and killed a media person during the protest organized at Tinkune, Kathmandu.
The pro-monarchist groups organized the demonstration, demanding the restoration of monarchy and a Hindu Kingdom. As the protestors breached the prohibited area, police clashed with them. Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to scatter the mob, but the situation took an ugly turn.
They hurled stones at media houses – the Annapurna Post national daily and Kantipur Television at Tinkune area. They also set on fire the office of Annapurna Post. Gllass in the windows of the buildings was broken in the incident.
A photojournalist for Avenues Television, Suresh Rajak, died in a fire set in a building at Tinkune by the protestors. According to his fellow reporters on site, Rajak was covering the protest from the rooftop of the building, which was set on fire by the protestors. Official confirmation is, however, awaited.
Similarly, a reporter with Onlinekhabar.com, Dinesh Gautam, was attacked by the protestors, and his leg was broken, while he was taking pictures of the protestors. They also threw stones on the vehicle of Himalaya Television.
Following these incidents, the District Administration Office, Kathmandu issued a curfew order in the affected areas till 7 am on March 29.
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the attack upon the media and journalists. Although everyone has the right to have a peaceful protest as guaranteed by the constitution, such violent activities are deplorable. Despite being frontline rights defenders, journalists are facing such risk of attacks during protests from both sides – protestors and security persons.
FF demands a fair investigation & legal action against those responsible for the incidents. Moreover, FF repeatedly urges all concerned, including the administration and protestors, to respect journalists’ right to free reporting and to ensure the adequate safety of the media persons in such situations. The media houses and journalists are also equally urged to use safety gear and report from safe spaces during violent protests.
