Journalist Suman Chapagain, associated with the Nagarik daily, was brutally attacked while covering the agitation between security persons and Nepali football fans outside the Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu on December 10. Kathmandu, which lies in Province 3, is the federal capital of Nepal.
According to FF's source, police persons kicked journalist Chapagain badly. He sustained a serious injury on his ears. He has been receiving medical treatment at Blue Cross Hospital, said fellow photojournalist Subash Shrestha, who is a witness of the incident.
Police persons deployed outside the stadium attacked Chapagain even after he was visibly wearing the press identity card and special press pass issued for the ongoing South Asian Games as well.
The incident occurred while Chapagain was recording the protest of football fans who were disappointed being unable to get the tickets of the final football match held between Nepal and Bhutan under the 13th South Asian Games. The police also beat the fans for protesting outside the stadium. Other journalists were also reported to have been misbehaved in the incident area. Additionally, the police threatened them to damage their cameras if they continued reporting.
Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the use of force on journalist on duty, resulting in serious injury. The security persons must be aware of journalists' right to free reporting and maintain restraint while controlling the mob. They need to segregate journalists from the agitators in course of taming riot.
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Freedom Forum
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