With apologies for cross posting: 

 

For immediate release: 

AMARC Deplores Murder of Community Radio Worker 

 

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, AMARC expresses deep
shock and anger at the murder of Devi Prasad Dhital (Hemraj) Chairman of
Community Radio Tulsipur on 22nd July 2010. According to initial reports,
Dhital was shot at Urahari, about 12 kilometers from Tulsipur in western
Nepal on Thursday around 8:45 p.m. 


Dhital, a resident of Tulsipur bazaar was riding a motorcycle on his way
back from the Fulbari VDC. He succumbed to chest injuries at the Rapti Zone
Hospital, later in the night. His pillion rider sustained minor injuries.
The assailants are absconding and the motive behind the attack is still
unknown. Police sources have informed that investigation is underway. 

 

"Hemraj's murder has shocked the entire community broadcasting sector of
Nepal and we deplore such heinous criminal act," said Raghu Mainali, Vice
President for South Asia in the AMARC Asia Pacific regional board. "I call
upon the concerned authorities and the local police administration to not to
leave any stone unturned to ensure that the absconding criminals are brought
to justice. Media persons are increasingly under attack from criminal groups
and any negligence in investigation will only encourage such elements," he
further said. 

 

Dhital was 45 and is survived by his wife, two daughters aged 7 and 9,  a
younger brother, and parents. AMARC expresses heartfelt condolences to
Hemraj's family as well as to Radio Tulsipur at this time of great sorrow
and loss.

 

-END-

 

About AMARC:

AMARC is an international non-governmental organization serving the
community radio movement in over 110 countries, and advocating for the right
to communicate at the international, national, local and neighborhood
levels. AMARC has an International Secretariat in Montreal. It has regional
sections in Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific and offices in
Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, Brussels, and Kathmandu. For more information,
please contact Suman Basnet, Regional Coordinator for Asia-Pacific,
[log in to unmask] or visit www.asiapacific.amarc.org
<http://www.asiapacific.amarc.org/> .