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International Federation of Journalists Condemns Assaults On Nepalese Journalists
By KTM Metro Reporter
August 16, 2011: publishing its press release on the website: scoop.co.nz today, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the brutal assault on Kishor Budhathoki: a reporter for ‘The Himalayan Times’ and its sister publication the ‘Annapurna Post’ in Sankhuwasabha district on August 11, 2011. Budhathoki is reported to be in a critical condition and has been referred from the district hospital to the regional hospital in Biratnagar.
The press release published in scoop.co.nz states that this followed threats handed out by Mahesh Basnet: head of the Youth Association Nepal (YAN) affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML); Basnet’s Youth Association Nepal (YAN) is believed to have been behind a near lethal attack on journalist Khilanath Dhakal on June 5 in Biratnagar district. Since then he has spoken out publicly in support of the suspected assailant and also threatened Narayan Wagle: one of Nepal’s most senior editors, with arrest and the closure of his newspapers, the press release states.
The ‘HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE’ yesterday has reported that even the security chief feels insecure in Biratnagar because of the threats coming from Mahesh Basnet. It quotes Morang police chief SP Pradhumna Karki, “My family is at risk due to my profession. My wife is in tension following the threat issued by chairman of CPN-UML’s youth wing Mahesh Basnet.”
Mahesh Basnet has been giving a cover to Parshuram Basnet that has almost killed reporter Khilanath Dhakal in Biaratnagar. One of the leaders of CPN-UML KP Oli has appreciated the criminal activities of Mahesh Basnet, and even blessed him with the title of the ‘true cadre’ of the CPN-UML. Nepal has started off the criminalization of the political activities.
Myrepublica.com has it today: "I don’t want to believe that the UML can condone this type of thuggery and intimidation. I hope all senior leaders of the party, particularly, those who are alleged to support and protect Mr. Basnet, will set the record straight by deploring and condemning his efforts to replace the rule of law with the rule of the bully," DeLisi said in his Facebook post on Monday. Ambassador DeLisi further said, "Like many people, I read reports of Mahesh Basnet´s comments over the weekend; and like many people, I find myself deeply disturbed by them on many levels.”
