Journalist attacked in Nepal

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) is condemning the attack on a journalist in Chitwan, central Nepal on November 20. Two unidentified people on a motorbike attacked Narayan Adhikari with sharp weapons near his home while he was returning from his office. Adhikari, a correspondent of state-owned National News Agency and a journalist at local Hamro FM radio, sustained injuries on right arm and is undergoing treatment at the Bharatpur Medical Hospital. Adhikari is also the chairman of the NPU’s district committee. The FNJ said in a statement: “The FNJ strongly condemn the event. The attack on a journalist for his works to inform the public is an attack on press freedom and the event is example of the security challenges of journalists in the country.” The NPU said: “The NPU denounces such cowardly attacks on journalists. The event also shows that the issue of physical security of journalists is still to be addressed.” The IFJ, the FNJ and the NPU demand immediate action by the state to bring perpetrators into the judicial process and also to ensure security for journalists. Jane Worthington, the acting director of the IFJ Asia-Pacific said: “The IFJ demands prompt action on this assault on the media, as failure to do so will only serve to contribute to the climate of impunity in Nepal.” 

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