Reporter with Samadhan daily and Machhapuchre FM, Suresh Raj Adhikari, was manhandled by a local over the news in Pokhara on October 15. Pokhara lies in Province 4 of Nepal.
Talking to Freedom Forum's monitoring desk, reporter Adhikari said, "For the follow up reporting, I had reached the place of the protests made by the earthquake victims after they were displaced by the municipal administration. The news on displacement of victims was published on October 14. While reporting, one of the victims Bikash Gurung slapped me."
He also threatened me to leave the place without reporting but I continued reporting. Then, police officers on duty arrested him, added reporter Adhikari.
Later, supporters of Gurung insisted me to sort out the matter with mutual understanding.
Reporter Adhikari has filed an FIR against Bikash Gurung at District Police Office, Kaski, where Gurung is still under arrest and investigation is ongoing, according to the District Police Office.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it sheer violation of press freedom. Free reporting and disseminating information to the public is the right of media persons. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to carry out fair investigation and punish the culprit.
For More Information
Freedom Forum
Thapathali, Kathmandu
Post Box No: 24292
Phone No. 4102030, 4102022
Email: monitoring@freedomforum.org.np; info@freedomforum.org.np
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