5 june, kathmandu- The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed its concern over the threats of physical assault to journalist Birat Anupam by Itahari sub-metropolis mayor Dwarika Lal Chaudhary. The mayor on June 4 allegedly threatened the journalist with physical assault by a telephone call. “I have allocated Rs 10 million to break your nose,” he rudely spoke to the journalist on the telephone, according to a statement issued today by the umbrella organisation of journalists.
Such open intimidation by a person assuming state’s responsible post is an open interference in the principle of free press and freedom of expression and mockery to the rule of law, the FNJ concludes.
The FNJ has drawn the attention of bodies concerned to make the mayor publicly apologise for his move and create a safe atmosphere for journalists for carrying out their duty freely.
Similarly, FNJ Dhankuta chapter member Dil Bahadur (Ashish Rai) who was physically assaulted at his office by an unidentified group in the night of June 4 while on duty is being treated at the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. He suffered severe head injury in the attack. The FNJ has sought the identification and arrest of culprit (s) behind the attack at the earliest, guarantee of security of journalists and all arrangements for the treatment of the injured journalist. (RSS)
