Police persons attacked journalists Angaraj Pariyar and Prajjwal Chunara while covering a demonstration in Surkhet, Karnali Province on May 8.
Reporter Pariyar works at Janachaso Khabar daily and Chunara is associated with Khulanajar.com.
Reporter Pariyar shared with Freedom Forum that they were covering a sit-in protest in front of the High Court, Surkhet. While Pariyar was taking video of police manhandling a protesting woman and her children, a police persons allegedly grabbed his hand from behind and kicked him. Reporter Chunara was also attacked and police seized their press identity cards, mobile phones and camera.
Although the police later returned their belongings, all photos and video footage were deleted. Reporters sustained minor injuries on chest, hands and neck during the attack.
“We have informed the National Human Rights Commission about the incident and are preparing to file a complaint at the police office, demanding action against the police persons”, reporter Pariyar informed.
Freedom Forum condemns the incident. The security persons' assault on the on-duty journalists is a grave violation of press freedom. FF urges the authorities to take appropriate action against the officers involved in the attack.
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