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Various human rights activists including Budha Narayan Sahani, the Chief of the National Human Rights Commission for Madhesh Province, INSEC district representative Durga Pariyar, Shyam Kumari Shah, Chairperson of the Women’s Human Rights Defenders National Network, and Dhirendra Shah, coordinator of Mukti Nepal, monitored the incident of stone pelting at the house of 55-year-old Dawanal Online editor Arjun Thapaliya in Golbajar Municipality-2 on 20 September.

The victim journalist, Arjun Thapaliya, reported that the accused arrived in an unnumbered vehicle at 2 AM on September 10 and damaged his house by hitting the windows and roof with empty beer bottles, as well as throwing stones. He also stated that the chief administrative officer of the municipality threatened to shoot him over the phone due to his online reporting on the corruption within Golbazar Municipality. He stated that Sumit Shrestha, 27, from Golbazar Municipality-7, Uday Singh, 31, from Golbazar Municipality-2, and other unidentified individuals attacked his house because he published news backed by evidence that threatened their interests. Thapaliya further stated that “If my family, including me, came out of the house, they would have taken our lives. After the incident, when the locals started gathering, they ran away Following an investigation that confirmed their identities, a complaint was filed on September 22 at the local police office in Golbazar for criminal trespass and criminal nuisance.”

The Chief of National Human Rights Commission Madhesh Province, Budha Narayan Sahani expressed sadness over the attacks on journalists for their reporting. Inspector Govinda Prasad Shah of the Area Police Office in Golbazar stated that protecting all citizens is integral to human rights. He directed an investigation into the incident, called for action against the accused, and emphasized the need for security arrangements for the victims. Inspector Shah reported that as soon as the incident became known, the police were mobilized during the night. He also stated that the victim has filed a complaint against the accused and that the investigation is currently ongoing.

 

Durga Pariyar