Media Action Nepal condemns journalist’s deliberate murder, calls for immediate justice
KATHMANDU/November 15: Media Action Nepal has demanded a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible for the killing of Suresh Bhul, a young journalist deliberately murdered by a mob. The incident has left his family seeking justice amid authorities’ silence.
According to the deceased’s wife, Kalpana Sarki, they beat Suresh Bhul on the evening of 9 November 2024, in Gauriganga Municipality, 11 Kantipurtole in Kailali district of Sudurpaschim province. A video of Bhul being beaten has also surfaced. In the video, other people are also seen beating Bhul.
They beat up Bhul accusing him of stealing a goat. However, the deceased Bhul claimed that he tied up the goat he discovered in the morning of 8 November at the nearby ward office. But the locals accused him of stealing goats. Yogesh Rawal, a reporter at Nagarik Daily, told Media Action Nepal that Suresh Bhul’s murder was more than just a goat being lost and found.
“He was attacked in a deliberate manner. He worked as a journalist and advocated for the right to information,” Rawal told Media Action Nepal. “Some people had targeted him. They used goat as an excuse to take the life of a healthy young man who appeared to be speaking out against irregular activities in society through journalism and activism.”
Rawal also stated that the deceased owns a house in the village, as well as a medical shop and photo studio in front of the ward office. As a certified medical person (CMA), he used to treat illnesses. His wife works at the health post. “He is not a man who could sell and eat another person’s lost goat. However, he was accused of stealing goats and intentionally attacked. Those attackers are not from a single ward; they came from afar,” he added.
According to Rawal, so far, neither the police nor any human rights organization has reached the spot to investigate. “I am shocked to see the silence of organizations and their leaders who advocate for the Dalit community’s rights. It is regrettable to witness community politicians being irresponsible.(who I contacted after the incident),” he said.
Out of the eight accused individuals mentioned in the complaint filed by the deceased’s wife, seven have been arrested by the police. A 40 years old Pawan Bagati, one of the accused in the murder is still at large. Those arrested include 55-year-old Jang Bahadur Bhul, 28-year-old Bishal BK, 31-year-old Dinesh BK, 19-year-old Dinesh Bhul, 45-year-old Bisna Bhul, 38-year-old Rama Rawal, and 31-year-old Dharmasingh BK, all residents of Gauriganga Municipality Ward No. 11.
Meantime, condemning the barbaric act and asking authorities to immediately prosecute those responsible, Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of Media Action Nepal said, “This deliberate murder represents a grave threat to press freedom in Nepal.” The impunity for crimes against journalists cannot be tolerated in a democratic society, he added.