KATHMANDU: The Nepal Federation of Photo Journalists (NFPJ) has said its attention has been drawn towards the arrest of Bangladesh's celebrated photojournalist and activist Shahidul Alam.

Issuing a press release on Tuesday, NFPJ has condemned the arrest of Alam by suppressing his freedom of speech and demanded his immediate release without conditions.

"Dhaka Metropolitan Police taped up the CCTV camera, and took away its footage, broke internet router and CCTV camera, before forcefully taking him under arrest," it said in the statement.

NFPJ has asserted that Shahidul Alam's arrest reflects the trend towards stifling dissent that has overtaken large parts in South Asia region.

Alam is the founder of Drik, Pathshala South Asian Media Institute and Chobi Mela International Photography Festival.

Earlier, Dhaka police had arrested Alam for his anti-government comments for its handling of the ongoing student protest.