Price for report on 'police excesses'

The victim is Molla Mahabbat Hossain, Rupsha upazila correspondent of Jessore-based Dainik Gramer Kagoj. He has been named as an accused in a bomb attack on Rupsha Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahadat Hossain near Bagmara Primary School on August 2 night. Two FIRs, one under Explosive Substances Act and the other for an attempt on life of the OC, have been recorded with constable Kamruzzaman as complainant. In both the FIRs he has been named as an accused as dictated by OC Shahadat, it has been widely alleged.

Since then Mahabbat, also convenor of Rupsha Upazila Press Club, has been absconding, according to the OC. He and Khulna Police Superintendent (SP) Habibur Rahman told this correspondent that Mohabbat having a close link with outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-Janajuddho) planned the bomb attack. Khulna City BNP president M Nurul Islam MP, and all journalists of Khulna have sharply reacted to the development.

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According to an inquiry it has been revealed that Khulna SP and Rupsha OC have taken a revenge against him for writing a story condemning mass arrest and other excesses during block raids in six villages from August 2 to 5.

According to reports published in Dainik Gramer Kagoj and other local and national dailies, about 218 persons had been arrested during the period. It has been widely alleged, 153 persons had been freed in exchange of bribe amounting to Tk 1,000 per head.

Remaining 65 persons had been shown arrested.

During the raids police ruined 50 houses and broke utensils, furniture, other households and looted rice and lentil. They beat many innocent men and women in name of block raids.

Police wrath has fallen on Mahabbat because he strongly protested police excesses, Union Parishad Chairman of Naihati in Rupsha upazila told thid correspondent. On contact, Khulna City BNP President M Nurul Islam MP has told that police excesses had been done with a motive to tarnish the image of the government.

According to OC Shahadat, all young men of Rupsha upazila are 'outlaws'.