Shortly after releasing two journalists detained for defying lockdown, police again took a female journalist under control while reporting in Chitwan today (April 27, 2020). Chitwan lies in the Bagmati Province of Nepal.
"Police took Kantipur Daily's reporter Pramita Dhakal under control when she was taking pictures of the vehicles seized by the police during lockdown within the premises of District Police Office.", reported FF's representative Ram Mani Dahal quoting local reporter Basanta Parajuli.
Although Dhakal was accompanied by other journalists, the police only took Dhakal under control for two hours. The police released Dhakal at around 6 pm after the protest by the journalists
FF objects this action of the arrest of journalist Dhakal from her workplace without any reason.
FF shows concern over frequent intimidation on journalists. It is severe breach of press freedom. The security persons are urged not to arrest journalists and harass them, but respect journalist's right to free reporting. Allegation without sufficient grounds and the legitimate way is worrying indeed.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np