Escalating violence against Nepalese journalists: kidnapping, assaults, theft

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is outraged at the continued violence against journalists in Nepal, with three brutal incidents reported in the past week.

According to IFJ affiliate the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ),  Prabhu Yadhav, reporter for English-language weekly publication Young Guys, was allegedly kidnapped by a gang of armed assailants on September 6, before being brutally beaten.

Yadhav is currently on bed-rest at his residence in Bara district after he received medical attention for his injuries, after escaping his captors on September 7.

IFJ Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park described the attack as appalling, and urged the Nepalese Government to take action against the perpetrators.

”This is the second time in as many weeks that a journalist’s personal protection has been jeopardised in the region,” Park said.

“The government must take serious action against those flouting the laws and risking innocent people’s lives.”

Another Young Guys journalist, Tanka Bahadur Dalani, was allegedly attacked by members of the Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) on September 8 while he was on his way to meet Prabhu Yadhav.

Members of the gang reportedly stole his mobile phone and five thousand rupees.

On the same day Priyanka Panta, newsreader of Gadimai FM at Birgunj, was assaulted by an unidentified group while she was on her way home.

Panta also had both her mobile phone and a large amount of cash stolen.

The IFJ supports its affiliate, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), in urging the police to investigate the incident as one of a number of serious attacks on journalists in the same area, and to take stern action against those responsible.


For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries