“It is found that Parshuram Basnet, who leads a group of gangsters involved in illegal activities across the eastern region, had led the attack (on another group of gangsters) on Morang District Court premises and masterminded the attack on Dhakal,” read the preliminary report of the four member Media Mission led by FNJ General Secretary Om Sharma. [break]
The mission drew the conclusion after conducting a field study in Biratnagar.
It has also said that the accused the police of being reluctant in bringing the culprits to book as their hands have been greased. “The accused haven´t been brought to book because the local administration, police and political leadership has an unholy nexus with Basnet,” said the report.
“The FNJ will launch second phase of protests if those who had attacked Dhakal and other journalists are not brought to book,” said the FNJ in its statement issued on Saturday. The umbrella organization of Nepali journalists took the decision after holding an emergency meeting of the office bearers´ and central committee members.
The federation has announced that media persons would wear black armbands at their workplaces, as a symbolic protest, for three days starting June 12.
On June 15, the media persons will demonstrate their cameras, recorders, pens, notepads and other reporting gadgets at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu.
Journalists outside the capital will stage similar demonstrations in front of the district administration offices in their respective districts on the same day.
The FNJ will hold interactions with the editors on June 16 and with representatives from trade unions on June 17 in the capital and in districts.
The FNJ has planned to stage demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu and in front of the administration offices in the districts on June 18.
Condemnations
Meanwhile, the Asia Journalist Association (AJA) has urged the government to end the culture of impunity that has allowed political thugs to target journalists.
“AJA deplores the latest assault on Dhakal, a reporter of Nagarik national daily, in Biratnagar on June 5 by cadres the CPN-UML Youth Force,” said the AJA in its statement.
The Accountability Watch Committee (AWC) has demanded that those accused of the attack on Dhakal be apprehended immediately and dealt with according to the law.
“Because the accused are members of the very party which is leading the present government, it is doubly important for the political leadership to be diligent in applying due process. Letting the perpetrators run free would point to disregard of the rule of law and a willingness of both the political party and government to institutionalize impunity,” it said.
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FNJ denounces murder of journalist Dhakal
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