Nayapatrika daily's photojournalist Binod Bista was manhandled by Police during election in Lalitpur on May 14. Nayapatrika is a national daily published from Kathmandu.
In conversation with Freedom Forum, reporter Bista shared, "At 10:30 am, I reached the Lalitpur-based polling station of Phulchowki Secondary School for reporting on ongoing local level election. Meanwhile, the duty chief Sub-Inspector of Police (SI) stopped me on the gate and called election officer even after I showed him my Press Card. Although the election officer asked me to enter, the SI without his name plate again stopped me speaking foul on me."
"What is Press Card? I too have such card, so get out!" he then shouted, "I won't let you in even after the high level security allows you," said the SI to Bista, grabbing him by the arm.
Although a senior police officer Thule Rai had told Bista that he could report without any objection, SI's hostile attitude discouraged him to reporting.
Lalitpur's Chief District Officer has also been informed about the case.
Freedom Forum expresses serious concern over the incident of sheer violation of press freedom. A security person's disrespect towards working journalist indicates that media is still under threat. FF strongly urges concerned authorities to immediately address the incident and punish the violator as per law so as to ensure journalists right to free reporting.
For More Information,
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
Website: www.nepalpressfreedom.org; www.freedomforum.org.np