Suraj Khadka, the Sindhupalchowk correspondent for Nepal Press was allegedly beaten by cadres of the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) on June 1. According to Journalist Khadka, the incident occurred while he was reporting at a YCL event held at the Nepal Academy. As Maoist Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was arriving, Khadka reportedly attempted to ask a question. At that moment, Dahal allegedly responded with anger, questioning whether it was an appropriate time to ask such a question. Following this, YCL cadres reportedly subjected Khadka to beating.
Khadka stated that he was taken into a room and confined by a group of 20 to 25 YCL cadres. He alleged that some punched him on the head, others kicked him on the back, and his mobile phone was also taken and has not been returned.