Journalist freed from Maoist captivity after 56 days

Maoists have released an Ilam-based journalist whom they had abducted 56 days ago following several rounds of negotiations with a delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).

Journalist Som Sharma (left) who was released from Maoist captivity and reporter of Radio Nepal Umesh Gurung in eastern district of Ilam on Sunday. (Photo courtesy: B. Bhattarai/Kantipur)

Som Sharma, a journalist associated with Ankha, a weekly newspaper, was released on Saturday, according to FNJ officials. The local leadership of the Maoists agreed to release Sharma after talks with a FNJ team led by central member Purna Basnet.

In another development in the same district, the Maoists have admitted to have made a mistake by placing a Radio Nepal correspondent under house arrest for weeks. Umesh Gurung, who was placed under house arrest in his Jamuna VDC residence, was released recently, according to the FNJ.

During negotiations for Sharma’s release, local Maoist leaders had told the FNJ negotiators that their decision to order Gurung to quit his job and join the Maoist war and the act of placing him under house arrest was a mistake.

The Maoists said they regretted their act and assured that they would take action against the party workers involved in it, the FNJ added. nepalnews.com July by/mbk 10 05

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