The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) on Sunday denounced the incident of a photo journalist affiliated to news web portal ‘onlinekhabar’ being thrashed by police personnel in course of news coverage.

The police beat up photo journalist, Kabin Adhikari, with baton when the latter was taking pictures of a demonstration staged by employees at the General Administration Ministry inside Singha Durbar at 11 am. Journalist Adhikari, who sustained injuries during the action, is currently receiving treatment.

A statement issued by FNJ General Secretary, Ujir Magar, termed the attack on the journalist as an attack on press and freedom of expression. The Nepali journalists’ umbrella organization has also demanded action against police personnel involved in the incident, and called on the concerned authority for security assurance for journalists.

Likewise, the Online Journalists’ Association said its serious attention has been drawn towards the incident of police attack on journalist Adhikari.

“We strongly condemn the manhandling of an on-duty photo journalist on the premises of central goverment secretariat Singha Durbar,” said a statement issued by Association President Prabesh Subedi.

The association has demanded the government investigate the incident and take action against the guilty.

– RSS, Kathmandu