Two arrested on charge of journalist Thakuri’s abduction

Police in Kanchanpur have arrested two persons in connection with the abduction of journalist Prakash Thakuri.

Pom Lal Sharma, a local leader of the CPN-Maoist and another suspect called Chhabi Lal Bhatta have been taken into custody and inquiry into their involvement in Thakuri’s abduction is underway, reports quoting police officials said.

Sharma was arrested earlier too on charge of abducting the journalist, but was released following pressure from the Maoist party. Thakuri wife Janaki has claimed that Sharma and few other Maoist cadres had abducted her husband from Bhansi, Kanchanpur, four months ago. Thakuri’s whereabouts remain unknown.

The FNJ and various other media freedom organisations have been demanding that the government intensify search for Thakuri and bring his captors to justice.

Owing to the pressure from the media community, a cabinet meeting on Wednesday decided to intensify the search for Thakuri and announced Rs 2 lakh as relief aid to his family. nepalnews.com mk Nov 16 07