Kathmandu: Journalist Dipendra Dhungana, who was injured during the Gen Z protest, met Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, at the latter’s office, Singha Durbar on Monday. Photojournalist Dhungana was injured seriously in a firing while he was covering the Gen Z protest at New Baneshwor on September 8. Associated with the Nayapatrika daily, Dhungana received gunshots in his neck which had to be removed after surgery.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Dhungana informed that Rs 75,000 was spent for his surgery and treatment. Dhungana requested Minister Kharel for the support at such need. He also reminded the urgency of insurance to journalists’ media equipment (camera, lens, audio recorder).
On the occasion, Minister Kharel assured of financial support to journalist Dhungana injured during the reporting. He also informed that Ministry would hold a discussion with the injured journalists and work for managing insurance to the photojournalists.
Journalist Dhungana also reminded Minister Kharel on need of mandatorily aligning journalists with social security fund, giving special safety training to the journalists covering disasters and protests. To his demands, the Minister ensured discussion and coordination.
Together with him, other journalists receiving injury were Shambhu Dangal, Umesh Karki, Shyam Shrestha and Barsha Sah.