Media Action Nepal denounces the violent attack on journalist Acharya
KATHMANDU| February 26: Media Action Nepal denounces the assault on Arjun Acharya, a reporter with RatoPati.com and an executive editor of Hamromat.com. Ahead of the federal elections to the House of Representatives scheduled for 5 March 2026, Acharya was attacked on Thursday afternoon (February 26) at Kamal Rural Municipality of Jhapa district in Koshi province while covering the election activities of K. P. Sharma Oli, Chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) and a candidate in Jhapa Constituency–5. Acharya was invited by Oli’s secretariat for an interview.
Media Action Nepal’s Koshi Province Coordinator Narendra Dhakal reported that Acharya was attacked by individuals associated with the CPN (UML)’s volunteer force after attempting to capture video involving local women expressing symbolic protest against Oli. During the assault, his mobile phone was seized, his glasses were broken, and he sustained injuries to his face and eye. Journalists accompanying him were also threatened following the incident.
During the assault, his mobile phone was seized, his glasses were broken, and he sustained injuries to his face and eye. Journalists accompanying him were also threatened following the incident.
Talking to Media Action Nepal, Bibek Gautam, a colleague of the injured journalist, stated that UML activists physically attacked Acharya, targeting his face and eyes, and forcibly snatched his mobile phone, which has not yet been returned. Acharya, who had traveled from Morang to report from Jhapa Constituency–5, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Biratnagar. As of now, no report has been registered in connection with the attack.
Stating that elections are critical for democratic accountability, Laxman Datt Pant, Founding Chair of Media Action Nepal commented, “Journalists must be able to report freely and without fear of violence”.
Stating that elections are critical for democratic accountability, Laxman Datt Pant, Founding Chair of Media Action Nepal commented, “Journalists must be able to report freely and without fear of violence”.
Media Action Nepal calls on the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) to ensure that its members and supporters respect press freedom and urges the authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.