(FNJ/IFEX) – Madan Thakur, a member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Rautahat chapter, Arun Yadav of “Pratik Daily”, Ramgir Mukhiya of “Matribhumi Daily” and Dinesh Sah of NTV television station were attacked by officers of the Armed Police Force on 26 February 2008 at Gaur, Rautahat district, located in the central region of […]
(FNJ/IFEX) – Madan Thakur, a member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Rautahat chapter, Arun Yadav of “Pratik Daily”, Ramgir Mukhiya of “Matribhumi Daily” and Dinesh Sah of NTV television station were attacked by officers of the Armed Police Force on 26 February 2008 at Gaur, Rautahat district, located in the central region of Nepal.
According to Prem Chandra Jha, president of FNJ’s Rautahat chapter, Thakur and the other journalists were attacked while they were covering police officers’ forced entrance and vandalism inside the homes of local citizens. Thakur said the officers attacked them with wooden sticks and a police helmet. Thakur sustained injuries to the leg, hand and body, Yadav and Mukhiya sustained head injuries, and Sah’s hand was injured. They are being treated at the Gaur hospital. During the assault, Thakur’s mobile phone, watch and camera were damaged, as were Sah’s camera and Yadav’s mobile phone.
The FNJ has condemned the attack on media persons by security personnel and is very much concerned about the growing threats to journalists by people responsible for ensuring the security of the nation.
The FNJ urges government authorities not to hinder media people in carrying out their professional duties and to punish the security personnel involved in the latest incident. The organisation also requests that the government take measures to adequately protect journalists.