PALPA, MAR 19 -

Nawaraj Poudel, who resigned as the editor of Palpa Dainik recently, has claimed that he took the move fearing for his and family’s life after the Maoist activists issued a death threat.

Organising a press conference at Palpa district headquarters Tansen on Thursday, Poudel accused Maoist district secretary Netra Pandey of threatening him for publishing reports that exposed ‘irregularities’ in which Pandey and his party were involved.

Among others, Poudel had published in the vernacular daily news and editorials on Maoist acts of throwing away street vendors’ goods and ‘financial irregularities’ committed by the Maoist party in the construction of Kali Gandaki Corridor Highway. 

Pandey’s hired goons manhandled me on Feb. 14, said Poudel. “They threatened to kill me and my family,” the journalist said, accusing the district administration of refusing to entertain a complaint against Pandey.

“The administration’s rejection made me feel more vulnerable. Worried over my family’s safety, I quit the job and left the district,” he said. After the conference, Poudel returned to Chitwan, where his family is currently based. Meanwhile, Pandey refuted the allegations.

The Maoist secretary said he and Poudel had a dispute over debt payment. “Poudel had not paid the money he owed me. When I sought payment, he threatened me instead,” claimed Pandey, adding he bore no grudges against Poudel for publishing news about him or his party.

Meanwhile, the Palpa chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists has deplored the threat, urging the government to provide security to Poudel and his family.

 

Posted on: 2010-03-19 12:00

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