Nepal
Journalist abducted in NepalPosted Oct 1 2007
Briendra Shah, a reporter for Nepal FM, Dristi Weekly and Avenues TV, was abducted by the members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) on Oct. 5 in Bara district in central Nepal, said the Federation of Nepalese Journalists
Ramesh Bista, a central committee member of the Federation of Nepali, claimed Shah was abducted for writing and reporting news related to the Maoists.
According to Asian Human Rights Commission, Ram Dev Das, the editor of the magazine Terai Khabar Patrika, was also kidnapped at the same time as Shah. But he was released a few hours later after being beaten. Das said that Shah was also beaten severely and received death threats, according to the commission.
Krishna Mahara, the spokesman of Communist Party Nepal, said at a special parliamentary session on Oct. 11 that the party would not obstruct the government if it took action against the cadres involved, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Regional police chief Kiran Gautarn said the search for Shah continues. “As far as we know he is still alive,” he said.
Journalists concerned for Shah's safety staged at a sit-in protest in front of the parliament on Oct. 11, according to CPJ.