A group of five assailants, who are allegedly involved in illegal sand extraction in the Marsyangdi river, attacked journalist Sudip Kaini, Gorkha district correspondent of The Kathmandu Post, at Anbu Khaireni on Monday.

The assailants took Kaini under control while he was on his way to the river bank to cover the news regarding illegal sand mining. The miscreants manhandled the reporter and snatched away his camera and cell phone for he took photos of the mining area and excavators and tipper trucks parked nearby. He has sustained injuries in his neck.

The assailants deleted the photos and damaged the camera and phone set. They also warned Kaini not to reveal the incident. Some locals and two business persons, who reached the site later, rescued the journo. 

Scribe Kaini went to the area after some local people informed him about the illegal sand extraction along the river that borders Gorkha and Tanahu districts. “Some local goons are extracting sand illegally, leaving the settlement at risk. We cannot even raise questions about this,” said a local woman requesting anonymity. The locals even complained that the miscreants are extracting sand without tender in collusion with police.

It is learnt that Ranjit Shrestha, Raghujit KC, Shivaji KC, Ramkrishna KC and Subas KC were involved in the attack. Police said they have launched an investigation into the incident.