Activist Slams Attack on Journalist Covering Elections in Jhapa

Kathmandu. Activist Majid Ansari has condemned the attack on journalist Arjun Acharya of Ratopati, who was covering the elections in Jhapa Constituency No. 5, by supporters of the CPN (UML).

On Thursday, 4-5 members of the UML-affiliated 'Youth Volunteers' group detained Acharya, beat him, and took his mobile phone and glasses.

Ansari strongly condemned the incident through social media and stated that the opinion of Press Chautari Nepal, which is close to the UML, should be made public. He also commented that the UML should remember its commitment to full press freedom and democracy expressed in the 12-point understanding of 2062 BS.

'If press freedom cannot be respected in a democracy, that is not democratic conduct,' Ansari mentioned. He also demanded that the UML should sensitize its youth volunteers about democratic values.