NEPAL: Kantipur reporter abducted

Local branches of FNJ in far-western Nepal appeal to Maoists to release Kantipur daily reporter

Nepal News
Friday, June 10, 2005

AsiaMedia Editor's Note: Reports are unclear as to whether the lifting of the state of emergency on April 30 allows for press freedom, and thus Nepalnews may still be operating under the the directives of King Gyanendra.

Maoists have abducted Kantipur daily’s stringer in remote far-western district of Darchula, Bikram Giri, last week.

According to the daily, Giri was abducted from Chhangru of Byas VDC in the district last Friday while he was on his way to Kalapani area in connection with reporting assignments.

The area has remained in the news amid reports that India has deployed its security personnel in the Nepali territory for over last four decades. Indian authorities refute such reports.

The daily has quoted a local reporter as saying that the rebels had taken Giri to remote Latinath area in the district. His latest situation remain unknown.

Meanwhile, local branches of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) in the far-western region have appealed the Maoists for the safe and immediate release of Giri.

The rebels continue to keep in captivity Ilam-based reporter, Som Sharma, in eastern Nepal for the past few weeks.

There has been no word from the insurgents as yet regarding abduction of the journalists.

Date Posted: 6/10/2005