During reporting in Guruwagaun, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-9, Banke,on October 24, Dilli Shahi, executive editor of Kohalpur Today.com and general member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Banke, Press Center Nepal Banke, and Press Union Banke, was subjected to beating and mistreated. In response, on October 25, the Federation of Nepali Journalists Banke, Press Center Nepal Banke, Press Union Banke, Nepal Civil Service Organization Banke, Nepal Civil Service Union Banke, and Integrated Government Employees Organization Nepal, Banke jointly issued a press release drawing the attention of the District Administration Office, Banke. The statement strongly condemned the incident.
While covering the news of the death of Indra Bahadur Khatri,40, from Namuna Tole, Guruwagaun, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-9, who was killed in a tiger attack, local residents of Bachchupurva, Ward-9, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-9, violently abused Ranger Jayhari Dhital of Banke National Park. While filming the video of the incident, the locals also attacked Dilli Shahi, even after he showed his press ID. Shahi reported that the group not only beat him but also snatched his mobile phone and deleted the video.
The press release showed serious concern over the attack on journalist Dilli Shahi by locals while he was reporting on the mistreatment of Ranger Jayahari Dhital. The release states that the national-level trade unions active in the civil service sector in Banke District have strongly condemned the incident and disorderly conduct against a public servant performing official duties and an independent journalist, who represents the fourth estate and is responsible for informing the public. The unions have urged the authorities to take strict and immediate action against the accused.
Devi Lal Chaulagai, Chairperson of the Nepal Civil Service Organization, Banke, has called on the concerned authorities to end impunity and ensure the safety of employees engaged in official duties. The press release further stated that the government should not compromise with anyone in order to halt the rising attacks and disorder in the administrative sector and to uphold the rule of law.
Dhurba Raj Sharma