Reporter to Annapurna Post national daily Raj Karan Mahato and the camera person Bibek Mahato were threatened while reporting on illegal mining in Mahottari on April 16. Mahottari lies in Province 2.

Freedom Forum's representative Rajan Singh reported that the reporters were taking videos and pictures of illegal excavation in a local river during lockdown. In the meantime, four people arrived on their motorbikes and chased away the reporters.

There reporters however escaped the attack and called local police for protection. A team led by Police Inspector Prakash Regmi reached the place to protect reporters.

Freedom Forum condemns the attempt to attack reporters. Journalists reporting on corruption and illegal activities always face intimidation. Such incidents are representative cases of press freedom violation which create panic among working journalists and induce censorship. Hence, FF strongly urges the local authority and security body to ensure safety to the journalists thereby, helping protect press freedom rights.