Media Action Nepal condemns attack on journalists by NBA members
KATHMANDU| August 13: Media Action Nepal condemns the August 12 attack on journalists in Janakpurdham of Madhesh Province, amid a dispute over land leased from the Guthi Sansthan, currently being used by the Federation of Nepali Journalists. The incident, carried out by a group of lawyers, has heightened tensions between the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Madhesh Province, and the Nepal Bar Association (NBA), Dhanusha.
Hadis Khudar, the Madhesh province coordinator of Media Action Nepal, reported that the dispute erupted after lawyers from the NBA, numbering around 50-60, who attempted to seize the land, claiming it was their right. However, the FNJ Province Committee has taken the land on lease for 20 years, following all legal procedures, Khudar stated.
A group led by the NBA District President Bimal Mishra, attacked the FNJ President, Shyam Banjara; Vice President, Jyoti Jha; General Secretary, Shailendra Mahato ‘Kranti’; journalists Diwakar Ray and Binita Yadav; among others. Journalists were brutally beaten in large numbers, and six of them were admitted to the hospital. One of them is in serious condition and will most likely be transferred to Kathmandu, Khudar reported.
Meantime, speaking with Media Action Nepal, Shailendra Kranti said, “It was a targeted attack. We have taken the land on lease legally. However, NBA members on August 12 started encircling the compound of the Madhesh Provincial FNJ chapter with iron pillars and netting. As soon as we heard, we reached the compound and opposed it.”
Kranti has suffered a fractured leg, and journalist Ray has suffered a serious head injury. Doctors have prescribed six weeks of bed rest. He further said, ‘They even attacked women journalists.’ Moreover, they attacked us in a group of 50-60, leading to fracturing my leg and severe injuries to my other friends, he added.
“We strongly demand that those responsible for the attack be brought to justice and the injured journalists be treated immediately,” said Laxman Datt Pant, Founder and the Executive Director of Media Action Nepal.
Media Action Nepal demands that those responsible for the attack be brought to justice and the injured journalists be treated immediately.
In featured pic: Shailendra Mahato ‘Kranti’ after treatment, and Diwakar Ray receiving treatment at Madhesh Provincial Hospital following the deadly attack.