(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES strongly condemns the Communist Party of Nepal’s (CPN-Maoist) treatment of journalists. CEHURDES also urges CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, the rebels’ chief negotiator, to ensure journalists’ safety and freedom of movement in their strongholds. According to CEHURDES’ sources, CPN-Maoist cadres under the leadership of Sameer, associated with the All Nepal Farmer […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES strongly condemns the Communist Party of Nepal’s (CPN-Maoist) treatment of journalists. CEHURDES also urges CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, the rebels’ chief negotiator, to ensure journalists’ safety and freedom of movement in their strongholds.
According to CEHURDES’ sources, CPN-Maoist cadres under the leadership of Sameer, associated with the All Nepal Farmer Association, have threatened the life of Bed Prakash Timalsena, a reporter with “Kantipur” daily who was based in Mangalsen, Achham district (in far-western Nepal). Earlier this week, the rebels also gave the journalist 36 hours to leave the district. The threats follow allegations that Timalsena was spying on Maoist activities in their stronghold areas. Timalsena managed to arrive safely in Nepalgunj, in mid-western Nepal, on 16 July 2003.
Two weeks earlier, Maoist rebels attempted to abduct Timalsena while he was reporting the news in a “Maoist model area”.
