Rai has been receiving threats since February 6 after his report about illegal extraction of stone and sand was carried by the local Aujar daily. [break]
Rai is receiving the texts from a Nepal Telecom pre-paid number 9842306151. The message sent on Wednesday says Rai will be killed at any cost. After receiving threat after threat, Rai reached the Morang branch of Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ). The last text message was sent at 1 pm Wednesday.
Rai said he is very scared after receiving repeated threats.
Another journalist, Bibek Bhattarai, a correspondent of Janabidroha weekly, has also been receiving threats from the same number. Bhattarai is currently hiding in Pathari.
Rai´s news story about illegal use of excavators to extract stone and sand from Sunjora river in Urlabari to fill land plotted for commercial purposes was carried by Aujar daily on February 3.
According to the story, local real estate businessman Tek Gurung, and former VDC chairman Tilak Bantaba, among others, are involved in the illegal extraction.
On February 4, the daily carried an editorial on the story. On February 6, local UML leader of Pathari Kishore Rai seized 1,000 copies of the newspaper.
“Thereafter, I have been receiving threats,” Rai said. The tipper used for carrying the illegally extracted stone and sand was seized by Area Forest Office, Urlabari, but was later released following a verbal order from Chief District Officer Suresh Adhikari.
“It is risky to return to Pathari,” Rai said. He requested the administration and the FNJ to ensure his safety.
Acting chief of FNJ Morang chapter Bikram Niraula has urged the local administration to identify the culprit and take strong action.
Police say the person issuing the threat has already been identified. But an arrest is yet to be made.
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