A local businessman of Birtamod has mistreated Tikaram Neti, the correspondent for Himshikhar Television and News 24 on July 25.

It is learnt that Neti was shooting at a local sweet shop- Culcutta Mishthanna Bhandar in Birtamod where the hygiene was very poor in kitchen and flies had covered the sweets.

The shop owner Rahul Sharma called a group of youths and rebuked Neti for filming his shop without prior permission, Neti said. He added that Sharma held him for half an hour and was released once other journalists and police arrived at the scene.

Inspector Chhabiraman Bhattarai said that the police had launched an investigation regarding the case and that Sharma was currently held in custody at Birtamod Area Police Office.

FNJ Jhapa issued a statement on July 26 condemning the incident while the FNJ Sangkhuwasabha issued a statement on July 27 raising concern on press freedom and demanding action against the guilty.