Journalists from Sunsari held a silent protest in Dharan on December 9 demanding that authorities take action against Harkaraj Sampang Rai, the Mayor of Dharan Metropolitan City. Journalists organized the silent protest, expressing their insecurity after Mayor Sampang threatened them. Former Vice-chairperson of the Nepal Press Union, Harsha Subba, stated that on December 4, Mayor Sampang had threatened Janakrishi Rai, 49, the Chairperson of the Press Union, Sunsari, of Dharan-17, and Gopal Dahal, a 40-year-old journalist from Dharan-16, via social media.
Ganesh Niroula, Vice Chairperson of the Nepal Press Union Sunsari, stated that journalists had to resort to protests due to the lack of action against the repeated threats and intimidation faced by the media in social circles. The Press Union led the procession from Bhanuchok, passing through College Road and Chhatta Chowk, and reached the main gate of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, demanding action to control the mayor’s unruly activities.
Harsha Subba, expressed that it is unfortunate that no action has been taken despite filing a complaint at the Area Police Office Dharan and submitting a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs after Sampang threatened journalists. He demanded action against Mayor Sampang for threatening journalists and called for the establishment of a secure environment that allows journalists to work freely.
The 1998 Declaration on Human Rights Defenders defines journalists as human rights defenders.