Around a dozen photojournalists were manhandled while covering a protest in Maitighar today (December 22). A faction of Gen Z group led by Miraj Dhungana, had announced the protest against the interim government expressing dissatisfaction with the governmet activities.
As the security forces intervened, clashes broke out and police arrested few protestors. Following this, the protestors shoutedspoke with one of the photojournalists at the site, Saroj Shahi from Nepalkhabar.com. Shahi said that the protestors were arguing with Deshsanchar.com photojournalist Barsha Shah asking her to pressure the police to release the arrested protestors. As Shahi internvened, they also shouted at him saying, "Don't just carry a camera, go after the police and release the protestors."
"Meanwhile, the protestors attempted to attack me with helmets but my colleagues rescued me. I sustained minor injuries in my legs in the incident", Shahi added. Another journalist Anup Pradhan from News Agency Nepal informed FF that top cover of his camera was damaged although the camera is working.
Freedom Forum is concerned over the repeated incidents of hostility towards journalists covering protest. The protestors must respect journalists right to report freely and safely.
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Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np