Nepalese journalist Balram found dead after reporting on Chinese encroachment along border

In a shocking development, a Nepalese journalist who reportedly wrote an article on Chinese encroachment in Rui vill in Gorkha district has been found de. body of a 50-year-old journalist identified as Balaram Baniya was found at banks of Bagmati River near hydropower project area in Mandu, Himalayan Times quoted spokesperson at District Police Office (DPO), Makwanpur, as saying on Friday.

Journalist's body h filed a missing report

A team deployed from Area Police Office in Bhimphedi fished out his body from river and sent it to Hetauda Hospital. According to reports, Baniya was last seen walking along banks of Balkhu river. His location, according to his mobile phone, showed same, after which phone was switched off. His family h filed a missing report with police, following which a manhunt was launched to trace him, Kathmandu Post reported.

"As per application received for his search, which also contained his photo, it has been verified that body that was found was that of journalist Baniya," according to DPO. According to Kathmandu Post, Baniya was associated with Kantipur Daily, a Nepali newspaper, since paper's initial days. He used to cover politics and parliament and later did extensive reporting on governance and bureaucracy.

Nepal refutes encroachment reports

He reportedly wrote an article highlighting Chinese encroachment in Rui vill located in Gorkha district. In June, several media reports said that China has occupied a vill of Nepal and allegedly removed boundary pillars to legitimise its annexation. Apart from Rui vill, China has also occupied strategic lands at 11 places across Nepal. Around 36 hectares of land in four districts of Nepal, which border China, have been illegally occupied by China, reports ded. 

RE | Congress appoints 3-member committee to probe Sachin Pilot's issues in Rajasthan

Meanwhile, Nepal's foreign ministry (MoFA) last month said media reports regarding boundary issues and illegal encroachment of some territories by China were false and that subject matter doesn't fall under its jurisdiction. " news allegedly based on 'report' of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development which that Ministry has alrey refuted and clarified stating that such "report" doesn't exist and that subject matter doesn't fall under its jurisdiction," MoFA said in a press release.

RE | Suresh Raina shares statement on retirement; thanks fans, family, BCCI & Men in Blue

journalist's death comes amid strained bilateral relations between India and Nepal after Himalayan nation included Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyhura in its controversial new political map.

RE | Union IT min slams Rahul Gandhi over FB-BJP remark; cites 'Cong-Cambridge Analytica' link

RE | J&K min resumes 4G internet in Ganderbal & Udhampur on trial basis till September 8

(With ncy inputs)