About 500 riot police officers at a police camp in western Nepal have taken seven senior officers hostage in a protest against poor treatment and low-quality food, officials have said

The revolt broke out on Saturday at the camp in Nepalgunj, about 500km west of the capital, Kathmandu, Krishna Acharya, a government administrator in the area, said.

Police officers loyal to the protesters are watching over the entrances to the camp and while there has been some shooting at the scene no one has been hurt, Acharya said.

The area has been sealed off and negotiations with the protesting officers are under way, he said on Sunday.

Those protesting have told reporters that supervising officers are treated lower-ranking police officers poorly and that food provided at the camp is of poor quality.