Assault on Radio Director in Nepal

IFJ Appalled by Assault on Radio Director in Nepal

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked to learn of a group attack upon a prominent radio director in Janakpur, southern Nepal, which left the journalist unconscious and badly injured.

The unidentified group assaulted Pramod Shah, director of Radio Janakpur, at his home on the evening of July 18.

According to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), an IFJ affiliate, about 11 people came to Shah’s home about 8.30pm, attacked him with rods and canes, and left him unconscious. The journalist sustained deep injuries to his head and back, and is undergoing treatment in hospital.

Any connection with Shah’s work is unclear. Police arrested three people allegedly involved in the incident. The attackers were said to be under the influence of drugs during the assault.

“The IFJ strongly condemns this horrific assault on Radio Janakpur’s director, Pramod Shah,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“The IFJ joins with the FNJ in demanding that Nepal’s authorities arrest all perpetrators of this horrendous attack, and make tightened security of journalists in Nepal a top priority.”

ENDS

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