Journalist arrested in west Nepal

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 25 July 2017

Chakka Bahadur Malla, a journalist in Bajura, was arrested following his reporting of an attack on him and municipal officials. Various organizations have condemned the arrest, urging for his release and a proper investigation.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and the Nepal Press Union (NPU) have condemned the arrest of a journalist in Bajura, west Nepal on July 20.

The IFJ demanded immediate release of the journalist and fair investigation into the incident.

 Chakka Bahadur Malla, district correspondent for Image Channel TV, was arrested and taken into custody by the police. He was in the process of registering a case with the police after he was attacked along with four municipal officials of the Budinanda Municipality on July 13. A gang attacked them near the district headquarters. Malla had received injuries and was recovering when arrested after a police complaint registered against him.

 NPU General Secretary, Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, in the statement said: “The arrest is a mockery of rule of law and is an attempt to create fear among journalist and rights activists. The NPU demands immediate withdrawal of the false case against Malla and a judicial investigation into the issue to punish those responsible for the attack and false accusation of Malla.”

The FNJ has dispatched a three-member team led by Executive Committee member Prakash Bikram Shah to Bajura to probe the issue.

 The IFJ said: “The IFJ is seriously concerned over the arrest of an injured journalist. Arrest of the journalist without a strong case weakens press freedom. The IFJ urges the Nepal government to immediately release journalist Chakka Bahadur Malla and thoroughly investigate the attack on him as well as what appears to be a false complaint against him.” – IFJ media release

KEY POINTS:

• Chakka Bahadur Malla arrested on July 20 in Bajura, west Nepal.
• IFJ and FNJ demand his immediate release and a fair investigation.
• Malla was attacked on July 13 while covering a story.
• The arrest is viewed as a threat to press freedom in Nepal.
• A team has been dispatched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest.