A political leader was attacked at a program in Banke district of Province 5 in Nepal. Leader of the Nepali Congress party, Ms Kiran Koirala, was attacked when she was about to address a program her party organized at Khajura of Banke on September 12.
Koirala's hand was fractured due to the attack.
A gang of youths barged into the program and assailed leader Koirala and her cadre.
Similarly, anti-corruption campaigner, Gyanendra Shahi was manhandled by another group of youths in the federal capital, Kathmandu, on September 15. In the name of ensuring security to Shahi, the police took him under control and harassed without any reason.
Earlier, a group involving Shahi had criticized Tourism Minister why he forced an airline to delay the flight from Banke to Kathmandu for over an hour leaving dozens of passengers inconvenienced.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident, as these are the blatant violations of press freedom and freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly.
Chief Executive Taranath Dahal observed, "These two incidents show the lack of restraint in the followers of the political party running the government. The attack on political leader who was going to address a program and harassment to anti-corruption campaigner are egregious violations of freedom of assembly and of expression. If the government favours such incident, it not only brews politics of negation and incites disharmony but also harms democratic system. Intolerance to criticism does not suit democracy."
Freedom Forum urges the government authorities to arrest the assailants and take action. Impunity must be addressed.
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Thapathali, Kathmandu