Gautam gets memo on journalist’s murder

GAIGHAT, Apr 8: Press Chautari Nepal, Udayapur chapter today has drawn the attention of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam demanding that the reality behind the murder of journalist Ram Prasad Bhattarai be made public. Compensation has also been sought for the victim’s family.

A team of journalists led by Press Chautari Nepal took out a rally from Loktrantrik Chowk of Gaighat today and submitted a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam, through the District Administration Office.

Press Chautari decried police failure to unearth the reality behind the murder and make it public even though 14 days had passed after the incident.

Bhattarai was found dead at Itahari Municipality in Sunsari on March 25 at 11:30 pm. The memorandum read that Bhattarai had died under mysterious circumstances as the body was found three kilometres away from the spot where he had died and his mobile phone set was found one km away from the spot and police have yet to investigate the death.

Press Chautari demanded that the government provide aid to the victim’s family. It also demanded arrest the culprit and action against the accused.

Journalists of the district have launched a series of protests. The team today stopped the publication of three dailies and two weekly papers in the district.