Police attack journalist covering demonstration in Nepal

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 February 2018

Prakash Dhakal was attacked by police while covering a student demonstration in Pokhara, Nepal. The IFJ and NPU demand accountability for the incident.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Nepal Press Union (NPU) have condemned the police attack on a journalist in Pokhara, western Nepal on February 6. The IFJ demanded action against the police personnel involved. Prakash Dhakal, a journalist with Adarsha Samaj daily, was attacked by the police when he was reporting the demonstration by the students of the Prithvi Narayan Campus. During the police’s attempt to disperse the demonstrators, the police charged on Dhakal despite him showing his Press ID card. Dhakal received a minor injury on his leg. NPU General Secretary Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti said: “The incident reflects the intention of the security personnel, who instead of facilitating a situation for free reporting, attacked a journalist. The NPU demands action against the police personnel.” The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the Nepal Police for the attack on journalist Prakash Dhakal in Pokhara. It is sad that the security agency which should be protecting the media instead attacks a journalist while he is on duty in order to inform the public about incidents of public interest. The IFJ demands appropriate action on the police personnel and urges the Nepal government to ensure a safe environment for independent journalism.” - IFJ media release