Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak assures action against perpetrators of Friday violence in Tinkune of Kathmandu Valley

INN/New Delhi, @Infodeaofficial

A 29-year-old youth has been killed after being shot by the police as a demonstration by royalists on Friday turned violent. The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed the death of Sabin Maharjan, a resident of Kirtipur-4, who succumbed to his injuries at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. During vandalisation, there was the death of an on-duty photojournalist, Suresh Rajak, who was inside the private building that was set on fire at Tinkune, Kathmandu on Friday. Rajak, 29, was associated with the Avenues Television.

He was taking photos and videos from the building near Tinkune, where the demonstration was held. In addition to the killing of Rajak, demonstrators also vandalised the Annapurna Media Group building at Tinkune, set it on fire, attempted a forced entry into the Kantipur Television building, and threw stones, causing terror in the newsroom. A vehicle owned by Himalayan Television was also damaged.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak today inspected different areas including Tinkune and Koteshwor where supporters of the former king vandalized and torched various physical structures. A team comprising Home Minister Lekhak, Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, high-ranking officials of the Home Ministry and police officers carried out the inspection of the torched private house at Tinkune, Kantipur Television, Annapurna Post Daily, Judibuti-based Herbs Production and Processing Company Limited, party office of CPN (Unified Socialist) and CPN (Maoist Centre) and Koteshwor-based sales store.

In the course of the monitoring, Home Minister Lekhak said the attack on the media house was condemnable and those involved in such inhumane activities would be brought to book. Condemning the attempt to destroy the media, he committed to taking action against the perpetrators.

Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ inspected the office of the CPN (Unified Socialist) which was also vandalized by the protestors on Friday and has demanded the government investigate the violent incidents that occurred in the Tinkue area, Kathmandu and bring to book the culprits. Chair Dahal said after inspecting the office of the CPN (Unified Socialist) which was also vandalized by the protestors on Friday.

A large number of journalists gathered at Maitighar this morning to pay tributes to Rajak and condemned attacks on media houses. The Federation of Nepali Journalists held an emergency meeting today to determine further protest actions and meet with the line minister. Journalist groups from different districts in Nepal staged demonstrations against the death of Photojournalists and the attack on media houses in Kathmandu Valley.