Kathmandu - Over 500 policemen mutinied in western Nepal, taking seven high-ranking officers hostage, media reports said Saturday.

Policemen of the Riot Control Battalion revolted in the town of Nepalgunj, about 400 kilometres west of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, independent Kantipur television reported.

They captured all the weapons and communication equipment before seizing the high-ranking officers including the battalion's commander, the television reported.

The policemen fired several rounds into the air as a warning and said the seized officers would not be freed until their demands were met.

"We are protesting against low-quality food and humiliating behaviour by superior officers," the television quoted Sub-Inspector Dhan Bahadur Bika, who led the mutiny, as saying.

"Our protest is not aimed at individuals but to highlight our plight," Bika said. The Nepalese government said it was awaiting full details before trying to resolve the problem.

"The Home Ministry will send a team to investigate the situation after the government gives a go-ahead," Home Ministry official Mod Raj Dotel said.

The mutiny is the second by police in the town and third in western Nepal in less than a month.

In June, armed police in two separate barracks seized high-ranking officers saying they were ill-treating lower rank police.

Both incidents ended peacefully after the government agreed to investigate the allegations. (dpa)