Kathmandu, April 11
Nepal Press Union has staged a protest against Sunday’s police attack on Kabin Adhikari, journalist with Onlinekhabar. Police personnel deployed at Singhadurbar had rained lathis and kicks on photojournalist while he was covering a protest of government employees, who were opposing preparations for their trade union election.
The personnel on duty had accused Adhikari of only clicking pictures that put police in negative light.
On Monday, the union’s Kathmandu chapter staged an hourlong transport strike outside Singhadurbar against the brutal attack. Protesting the attack, the Kathmandu chapter also organised a corner meeting where chapter President Nakul Aryal said: Police cannot take action against lawmakers even when they enter the Parliament building with weapons. Nonetheless, they rain lathis on unarmed journalists covering a protest. This is a shameful act for the police force.
Aryal further asked whether Singhadurbar is the office of (Prime Minister) KP Oli or (Nepal Police IG) Upendra Kanta Aryal. He warned all not to consider the Press weak.
Union’s General Secretary Ajaya Babu Siwakoti said there was a link between the act of barring journalists (from private media) from Singhadurbar and the brutal attack on a journalist. This (the attack like this one) is happening because of collusion between police administration and Home Ministry, he alleged.
Siwakoti said: A few days ago, Home Ministry Spokesperson Yadav Koirala had warned journalists protesting the Singhadurbar entry ban episode that he will show his power if they continue to protest.
He accused the Home Ministry of ordering police to attack journalists. NPU has demanded an impartial investigation into the attack on Adhikari, adding that their movement will continue unless action is taken against the guilty.
A police team under the command of DSP Prajit KC had seized journalist Adhikari and attacked him. Adhikari has suffered leg injuries.
“There is a link between the act of barring journalists (from private media) from Singhadurbar and the brutal attack on a journalist”
