Kathmandu, 28 March: The person found dead in a private house set on fire by supporters of the former king in Tinkune has been confirmed to be Suresh Rajak, a cameraman for Avenues Television.
Kedar Koirala, the news department chief of Avenues TV, informed RSS that the deceased has been confirmed to be journalist Rajak and that the police are working to identify him. Journalist Rajak died after his house was set on fire while he was recording the protest from the roof of the house.
Federation expresses grief over death of journalist Rajak
Meanwhile, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has expressed shock over the death of Avenues Television journalist Suresh Rajak, who was burnt to death while covering news of the arson attack by protesters allegedly demanding the restoration of the monarchy.
The Federation, through a press release today, has expressed shock over the news of journalist Rajak’s death in a fire, demanding a thorough investigation into this inhumane incident and legal action against the culprits. Paying tribute to the deceased journalist Rajak, the Federation has expressed its condolences to the bereaved family.
The Federation has also condemned the actions of groups of protesters who set fire to the buildings of various media houses, threw stones after being prevented from entering the buildings due to mob violence, vandalized vehicles, and terrorized media personnel. A statement issued by the Federation’s General Secretary Ram Prasad Dahal confirmed that Avenues Television journalist Rajak died after being burned while covering news from a building that was set on fire.
“A group of protesters vandalized and set fire to the building of Annapurna Media Group in Tinkune, Kathmandu, and tried to forcefully enter the building of Kantipur Television after being stopped by security personnel, and created panic by throwing stones at the newsroom. Similarly, vehicles of Himalayan Television were vandalized,” the statement issued by the Federation states.
General Secretary Dahal said that such an attack on reliable media institutions like the press, which inform the public and help in forming opinions, and media personnel, which resulted in the loss of their lives, is highly objectionable, condemnable and reprehensible. The Federation has urged everyone to compensate the damaged media outlets and to be serious about the safety of media houses and media personnel. —
