CHITWAN: The Bharatpur Metropolitan City today has apologised for mistreating mediapersons who had gone there for news collection during an event organised by their office four days ago, and pledged not to repeat such mistake again.

Metropolis Mayor Renu Dahal — at a joint discussion on the matter organised by the Chitwan Chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) — pledged cooperation and cordial relationship with media in the days to come.

On March 27, administrative officer of the metropolis Prem Raj Joshi and chairperson of ward 10 Arun Pidit Bhandari reportedly manhandled and forced journalists out of the scene where a team from the Chitwan Chamber of Commerce and Industry was scheduled to submit a memorandum in relation to tax.

Mayor Dahal and Deputy Mayor Parbati Shah were also present during the incident.

Following this incident, various organisations associated with journalism issued separate statements, and condemned the incident.

FNJ Chitwan Chapter chair Radhe Shyam Khatiwada urged for the creation of conducive working environment for mediapersons, saying such incident should not be repeated.