Security forces misbehaved with Laligurans Media reporter Hem Raj Bhatta while he was covering a protest on December 13 in Kirtipur, Bagmati Province.
Speaking to Freedom Forum, Bhatta said he was forcefully taken into a police van while reporting on a protest staged by youths outside the cricket stadium. The protesters were demonstrating against fraud in the distribution of tickets for the final match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL).
According to Bhatta, while attempting to control the protest, police persons manhandled protesters and loaded them into a police van. “During the incident, Senior Sub-Inspector BK Chaudhary shouted at me asking who I was and why I was recording the video. He then ordered his officers to put me into the van,” Bhatta said.
Bhatta added that he showed his press identity card, but they did not stop. He was taken to the Police Circle, Kirtipur where his mobile phone was seized.
After reaching the police station, another officer suggested to release Bhatta confirming that he was a journalist. However, when Bhatta asked the Deputy Superintendent of Police about the reason for the manhandle, the officer again used abusive language and ordered him to leave the premises.
Then, Bhatta continued his reporting on the NPL. He demands public apology from the officer for his behaviour.
Freedom Forum strongly condemns the intimidation of the reporter by police. The incident is a serious violation of press freedom and journalists’ right to report freely.
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Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np