Police took under control Tilak Adhikari, reporter with local Janata Jindabad weekly published from Makwanpur on May 11. Makwanpur lies on the province 3 of Nepal.
Talking to Freedom Forum, reporter Adhikari shared, "At 2:00 pm, while I was preparing my news story at office, some 12-15 police persons in plain clothes approached me and said Police Inspector had called me to their office. I denied saying without any reason I won't go but they insisted and took me. Reaching the District Police Office, I asked Superintendent of Police (SP) why they had arrested me without warrant."
He further said that Police had arrested him over news stories published on local level election. Meanwhile, Chief District Officer did not know anything about arrest. At 4:00 pm, he was released from Police office.
Later, the same day, police persons reached his home at Makwanpur and tried to open the door lock forcefully.
Freedom Forum has serious concern over such incident of intimidation on journalist by security agency. Arresting and threatening journalists for baseless reason has violated press freedom and panicked journalist. Hence, FF urges the security agency to be aware of press freedom and journalists' right, which are essential need in democracy.
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