An FNJ report made public at a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday said those behind the disappearance earlier of Uma´s father and brother could have murdered Uma because she had vowed in public and repeatedly to avenge their fate through the medium of journalism. The report also said a "family feud" over land worth Rs 5 million, which was registered in Uma´s name, could be another reason behind her murder.
Uma Singh talking about hardships faced by Tarai-based journalists to UNMIN last year (Edited version of the interview) - Janakpur mourns Singh`s murder
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"Maoist workers from Siraha district had abducted Uma´s father Ranjit Singh and elder brother Sanjay Singh in 2006," said the report, adding that the father-son duo are believed to have been killed later on. "She had then repeatedly made public her vow to avenge the ´murder´ of her father and brother through the medium of journalism."
Uma had written an article in the local Dristikon Times sharply criticizing the administration for not taking action against ´the murderers´. She had told close friends that she received death threats following publication of the article, said the FNJ report.
Uma´s sister-in-law Lalita Singh told FNJ that the land owned by Uma is worth Rs 5 million. "Uma had been engaged to marry a man from Mahottari district in Fagun (February-March)," said the report. "Some people believe Uma might have been murdered because of a ´family feud´ arising out of fear that the land would go to another family after her marriage."
FNJ announces nationwide protest against ‘murder’ of a journali...
Kanak Mani Dixit speaks during the FNJ press conference. Also seen are SAFMA president Shaiva Gaule and FNJ president Dharmendra Jha.Bikash Karki
A high-level FNJ delegation led by FNJ President Dharmendra Jha reached Janakpur on Monday, a day after a group of 10-15 unidentified men killed Uma with sharp weapons.
Rajesh Verma, a journalist from Siraha district, where Uma originally lived, told FNJ Uma had been an inspiration for many women taking up journalism as a calling. "The number of women journalists in the Tarai will come down to nil unless her murderers are brought to book," said Verma.
The local administration has told the umbrella media body of the country that the murderers will be arrested within a month. The administration has deployed a five-member police team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Sharan Karki to investigate the murder which has enraged journalists in Nepal and abroad.
FNJ´s Jha said the journalists would continue with their nationwide protests until the perpetrators are brought to book. "The responsibilities of the state are not over just with the declaration of the deceased as a martyr and provision of compensation to the next of kin," said Jha. "Unless Uma´s murderers are traced, no media person can function free of fear."
