Group of people enter Dinesh Khabar and assault journalist; FNJ demands investigation

The Far Western Provincial Committee of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has issued a statement demanding immediate action to be taken against the people who entered Dinesh Khabar and attacked the deputy news editor Janak Bista. FNJ has issued a statement deeming the act as an attack on press freedom. A statement signed by Yogesh Rawal, General Secretary of the Federation of Journalists of the Far West stated that the government of Nepal has a legal provision for the public to report news that they disagree with or news that carries misinformation, but few individuals entered the newsroom of Dinesh Khabar and attacked the deputy news editor. We demand the administration to immediately arrest the people involved in the attack and to take strict actions against the perpetrators.  

The FNJ claims to organise protests if their arrest is delayed. Dinesh Khabar had published an article regarding a 19-year-old boy who allegedly committed suicide in the washroom of the District Police Office, Kailali on Friday. He was arrested on 7 September for petty theft. The exact paraphernalia used by the deceased to perform the suicide has not been revealed. The police have not provided further information regarding the matter stating that it is under investigation.

A group of people who disagree with the information came and assaulted the journalist. According to them, it is not a suicide but a murder. Deputy news editor, Janak Bista was assaulted along with station manager Amita Kunwar and technician Kalpana Singh.