On 23 September, 21 organizations and human rights activists based in Nepalgunj issued a press release expressing serious concern over the mistreatment upon Govinda Sharma, Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Lumbini Province and journalist at Gorkhapatra, during reporting at the premises of the District Administration Office, Banke, on 21 September.
In the press release it is mentioned that while reporting on the current condition of the District Administration Office, which was set on fire during the protest on 9 September, Chief District Officer of Banke, Dharam Raj Joshi, mistreated journalist Govinda Sharma for taking photographs without permission. Additionally, it is stated that such conduct constitutes an obstruction to independent journalism.
The press release also highlighted that Chief District Officer Joshi had demonstrated hostility toward the press and engaged in actions contrary to press and freedom of expression in the past. It noted that he has made inappropriate remarks at civil society events and that a series of incidents has consistently raised concerns regarding his overall conduct. The press release emphasized that such incidents should not occur again in the future.