Investigation team formed to probe into sports journalist beating

Published On: December 12, 2019 08:48 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Photo: Republica/Files

KATHMANDU, Dec 12: An investigation team on Wednesday has been formed to probe into the thrashing of a sports journalist on the last day of the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) on Tuesday.

A three-member team led by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shyam Lal Gyawali of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has been formed to investigate on the issue.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Sorhakhutte branch Santosh Singh Rathore had injured Nagarik Daily sports journalist Suman Chapagain, while he was clicking the pictures of a Nepali sports fan who was getting kicked and thrashed by the other DSP Rugam Kunwar.

To investigate on the issue, a team led by Gyawali along with DSP duo Manohar Shrestha and Shyam Singh Chaudhary was formed.

Chapagain, a member of Nepal Sports Journalist Forum (NSJF), suffered head and chest injuries, including swelling on the left side of the face and bleeding from the left ear after police used brute force on him at around 11 am as he tried to take pictures of a sports fan who was being taken away forcibly by them.

Rathore and his group assaulted Chapagain, kicking him with their boots and using foul languages even though he repeatedly showed his press accreditation card and media ID, Nirajan Adhikari, a media person had said, who pulled Chapagain toward himself to save him from further bodily harm.

Likewise, a group of journalists sneaked protest banners inside the stadium at media center and displayed it briefly during the half-time. Soon the police snatched the banners. Member Secretary of the National Sports Council Ramesh Kumar Silwal regretted the police action had promised an investigation. Silwal had also made a decision to bear all the expenses for Chapagain’s treatment.

The NSJF and Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) had demanded stringent action against the policemen involved in the incident. Ashok Dahal, the President of FNJ Republica chapter issued a statement condemning the police violence.