NEW YORK, Nov 11: Umesh Rai, the brother-in-law of Paruhang Rai assualted Lokmani Rai, a Nepali journalist based in New York, for writing news. Paruhang Rai is the chief assistant of Sherdhan Rai, the chief minister of Province 1.
Journalist Rai was taken outside from the venue of a Tihar event, and was beaten badly. Umesh Rai hit journalist Rai in the face and abused him verbally. The injured journalist was then rushed to Elmhurst hospital for emergency and was discharged after six hours.
Journalist Rai has filed a case against Umesh Rai providing medical certificates.
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Talking with Republica, journalist Rai said he is being pressurized to make amendments to the legal case as physical violence against journalists is considered a serious offence in the United States.
Nepal America Journalists Association (NEAJA) and International Nepali Journalists Association (INJA) have condemned the attack on journalist Rai.
General secretary of INJA, Kiran Marhatta and General secretary of NEAJA Shiva Bista said, we condemn this vicious attack and the culprit should be held responsible for this violent action.
Rai works for BRT Nepal, a Nepali news portal in the US. He had written a news report about Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai traveling to the US from Thailand and attending a welcome program organized by controversial organizations and persons.
It is said that this is the first time a Nepali journalist has been attacked in the US.
