Santosh Kumar Gupta, Bhaluwang correspondent of Goraksha Daily has been beaten up on March 31 on the charge of publishing false news. Rishi Ram Paudel, 35, of Pakhapani in Lalmatiya VDC-3 beat Gupta, 26, of Sisahaniya VDC-7 while the latter reached Bhaluwang to report on the ongoing SLC exam. According to the victim, Paudel beat him accusing him of publishing less number of votes than what he had received in the election of Bhaluwang Drinking Water Committee in the news. Gupta sustained serious injuries to his right eye and head in the beating. He received treatment at a local medical shop. Dang chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalist condemned the incident issuing a press release on March 31. The press release issued by FNJ District Chairperson Sudeep Gautam said that the mistreatment against a journalist is against press freedom. FNJ demanded action against the culprit and treatment of the injured. The victim has not filed any complaint.

JN Sagar