Freedom Forum is deeply shocked to learn about the death of a senior journalist at Kantipur national daily, Balaram Baniya. His dead body was found in the filter of a hydropower project site at Sisneri, Makwanpur yesterday (August 11). The dead body was identified at Hetauda Hospital today and is being brought to Kathmandu.
It has been learnt that his family had reported police to search Baniya who had gone missing since last Monday while he was returning home from the media house.
Senior journalist Baniya had joined the Kantipur daily in around 1992, since then he had been writing on parliamentary affairs, political issues and governance, establishing himself as a recognized journalist. He had also been a member and secretary at the Federation of Nepali Journalists’ central committee as well as a active leader advocating for rights of the working journalists.
In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Baniya was learnt to have disappointed with the editorial management at his media house. Few weeks back, the news about Nepal-China border he penned had faced wide criticism. His death seems mysterious.
FF demands serious and fair investigation on his death. The police administratiion is strongly urged to investigate into the possible involvement of the suspicious network.
FF also pays tribute to the departed soul and expresses heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
