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.