FNJ: journalists arrested, one beaten, others released

UPDATE - NEPAL

7 April 2006

Protesting journalists and others covering protests arrested, one beaten; journalists arrested on

6 April released

SOURCE: Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), Kathmandu

(FNJ/IFEX) - Five journalists were arrested at 7:45 a.m. (local time) on 7 April 2006 in Hetuada, while participating in a peaceful rally organized by the Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD) and other professional organizations to protest the arrests of journalists and professionals over the prior two days. Police also charged at protestors with batons.
The arrested journalists were Khem Bolakhe, FNJ secretary, Makwanpur Branch; Gokarna Adhikari, FNJ treasurer; Girija Adhikari of “Pratik Dainik”; Sunil Khadka of “Nikash Weekly”; and Hari Humagain of “Hetauda Shandesh”. Also arrested at the protest were: Dhruba Chaulagain, president, Appellate court bar unit; Purushottam Baniya, president, PAPAD, Makwanpur Chapter; and Rajan Mainali, secretary, Peace Society.
All are being detained at the District Police Office in Makwanpur.
In a separate incident, a journalist was arrested on 7 April while reporting on the democratic movement organized by the seven party alliance in Srijana Chowk, Pokhara. Tribhuwan Paudel - executive member, FNJ, Kaski Chapter, and reporter for Pokhra-based “Annapurna FM”, “Pokhra Hotline” and “Himal Khabar online” - was arrested at 10:00 a.m. (local time).
According to Rabinda Bastola - FNJ president, Kaski Chapter - Paudyal was arrested when he tried to protest the arrest of human rights activists at the rally. He is being held in the police barracks at Pokhara.
Madhav Basnet, correspondent of “Dristi Weekly”, was severely beaten by the police at around 4:30 p.m. on 7 April at Gongabu, Kathmandu. Basnet was severely injured on his right leg and hand. The incident took place while Basnet was reporting on the democratic movement organized by the seven party alliance.
According to Binod Pahadi, central committee member of the FNJ, Basnet was beaten by the police despite having shown them his identity card. Basnet was taken home after having his injured leg and hand attended to.
Central representatives of the FNJ were also arrested on 6 April in Kathmandu: Shudarshan Acharya; Bhaktadhowj Bhohara; Shyam Badan KC, editor, “Kathmandu Shandhaykalin”; and Kamal Koirala, chief editor, “Roadmap weekly”. Journalist Laxmi Prasain, chief editor, “Kutumba Weekly”, was also arrested from his house on 5 April. They were arrested for their involvement in the protest organized by the FNJ. Acharya and Bohara were detained at a women’s training academy in Jawalakhel.
In another incident, unidentified individuals vandalized a vehicle belonging to the “Himalayan Times” at Barahisthan of Bhaktapur on 6 April. The incident took place when the vehicle was en route to Surya Vinayak to drop home members of the newspaper’s editorial department.
The attackers hurled stones at the vehicle, shattering its windows; however, the driver and occupants escaped injury. Later, the same vehicle was attacked by another group of unidentified people at Tinkune, in Kathmandu.
All the journalists arrested in Ilam and Parsa on 6 April were released in the evening of the same day.
For further information contact Mr. R. B. Khatry, Executive Director at FNJ, Media Village, Tilganga, Kathmandu, Nepal, tel: +977 1 449 0063, or +977 1 449 3873, fax: +977 1 449 0085, e-mail: fnjnepal@mail.com.np, Internet: http://www.fnjnepal.org
The information contained in this update is the sole responsibility of FNJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit FNJ.