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A journalist from Bhokraha Narsingha Rural Municipality-5, Tajamul Miya, has alleged that an elected representative had beaten him over a news article he wrote about flood-affected individuals. Miyan, who serves as a chief reporter for Jasus Khabar, has alleged that Ajmal Akhtar Azad, the 50-year-old Chairperson of Bhokraha Narsingha Rural Municipality, subjected him to beating on October 26.

Journalist Miya alleges that Ajmal Akhtar Azad physically attacked him on the public holiday of October 26, Saturday, while he was gathering news about a meeting called to discuss the issues of flood-affected individuals at the rural municipality office. Tajamul Miya stated that after he arrived at the scene where the flood-affected individuals were gathered, Chairperson Ajmal Akhtar Azad seized his mobile phone and physically attacked him while he was collecting information. Tajamul, who sustained a head injury from the attack, is receiving treatment at Neuro Sapta Koshi Hospital in Bhokraha Nar Singh Rural Municipality-4. Following the incident, Aryan Media Pvt. Ltd. has demanded an investigation into the harassment of the journalist, calling for action against the Chairperson. Chairperson Ajmal Akhtar Azad stated that he did not physically attack any journalists and mentioned that while they were engaged in an internal discussion during the public holiday, they only requested the journalists not to enter unnecessarily and take photos.

DSP Ram Prasad Timilsina of the District Police Office stated that they had received verbal information regarding the incident. Since they are currently working to understand more, it is not clear what exactly happened.

Similarly, 21-year-old journalist Ravindra Yadav, who works for Jasus Khabar, has alleged that he received death threats related to the subject of his news coverage. He claimed that these threats came from Roshan Yadav, the 28-year-old son of Ramchandra Yadav from Koshi Rural Municipality-2, via a Facebook ID named Bindas Roshan. Journalist Ravindra Yadav stated that he received death threats on October 25 regarding the news coverage published on October 24 by Jasus Khabar about the visit of former minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki to Koshi Rural Municipality-2.

The journalist, feeling unsafe from threats received through Facebook Messenger conversations and audio posts, has applied to the District Police Office, requesting action against the accused and assurances for his safety.
Journalist Yadav stated that he received death threats after writing a news article about the misuse of a government vehicle during the Nepali Congress party’s ward conference in Koshi Rural Municipality-2. DSP Ram Prasad Timilsina of the District Police Office stated that they have received an application regarding the incident and have begun to gather more information.

The 1998 Declaration on Human Rights Defenders defines journalists as human rights defenders.

Jaya Krishna Yadav