(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES condemns a death threat issued against journalists working at a leading weekly newspaper, and a random attack against a journalist in southern Nepal. “Dristi”, a Nepali-language weekly, reported on 28 March 2006 that the superintendent of police of the Armed Police Force (APF), Arbinda Dhital, has been threatening the lives of its […]
(CEHURDES/IFEX) – CEHURDES condemns a death threat issued against journalists working at a leading weekly newspaper, and a random attack against a journalist in southern Nepal.
“Dristi”, a Nepali-language weekly, reported on 28 March 2006 that the superintendent of police of the Armed Police Force (APF), Arbinda Dhital, has been threatening the lives of its reporters in connection with a news item published in the weekly on 21 March. The article said that Dhital had removed some marble imported from India which was meant to be used in a hospital being constructed by the APF. After the incident became public, he returned the marble to the hospital. The weekly also reported that departmental action has been initiated against Dhital.
CEHURDES condemns the threats issued against the reporters of the weekly newspaper. Dhital could have sent a rejoinder or clarification to the editor of the weekly or could have approached the Press Council of Nepal if he had a genuine grievance.
CEHURDES is concerned about the safety of the editorial members of “Dristi” and calls upon the government to investigate the incident and punish the guilty. CEHURDES also calls upon the authorities to ensure the safety of “Dristi” reporters.
In a separate incident, on 23 March, Satya Prakash Shrestha, district correspondent of “Nepal Samacharpatra”, and three other people were injured when Maoists opened fire indiscriminately on a group of people at Bharat Chowk, in the southern district of Bara. A policeman was killed in the attack.
The incident occurred just a day after Maoist leaders assured a visiting International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Advocacy Mission in Nepal that they would not target journalists under any pretext.
CEHURDES condemns the attack on Shrestha and calls upon Maoist rebels not to target civilians, including journalists, in their attacks. The organisation asks the Maoist leadership to issue directives to its cadres not to target media personnel or facilities and to probe into such incidents.
