Gautam, who was returning home on a motorcycle with "press" sticker pasted on both the number plates, was stopped by a group of about 10 Maoists.
He was also wearing a fluorescent green vest used by journalists.
They kicked his motorbike on the rear causing slight damage to the mudguard, according to Gautam.
They briefly seized his identity card and mobile phone and grilled him using expletives. Later a Maoist worker who was not drunk freed Gautam and his motorbike.
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