Stop torture on journos, punish culprits

Journalists in Patuakhali, with faces covered with black cloth, brought out a silent procession in the town yesterday protesting torture of colleagues in Baufal and Borhanuddin. PHOTO: STAR

They also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding punishment of the culprits.

The procession started at about 11 am from in front of Patuakhali Press Club. It was led by Press Club Vice-president Sapan Banarzi and its secretary Abu Zafor Khan.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

About 100 journalists and other employees took part in the procession.

The processionists converged in front of the DC's office and submitted a memorandum for punishment to BNP lawmaker Sahidul Alam Talukder and his 'cadres' who were involved to the torture.

They also demanded removal of the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Baufal thana who failed nab any the culprits and ensure security of journalists.

Meanwhile reports reaching here from Baufal said activists of ruling BNP were giving threat to journalists by visiting their houses.

Mentionably, Monzur Morshed, Correspondent of Dhaka-based Daily Jugautor was beaten allegedly by BNP lawmaker Shahidul Alam Talukder on August 8 on the upazila office premises for publishing a news on looting of 100 maunds jhatka (small Hilsha fish) by some BNP activists. The fishes were seized by Bauhfal Upazila Nirbali Officer (UNO) Nurun Nabi from a launch terminal there.

Earlier, Patuakhali Press Club held a protest meeting on August 11.

Our Barisal Correspondent adds: The Baufal Press Club remained closed yesterday as journalists were on their heels due to alleged threats by BNP activists.

Reports from Bhola said Bhola said Boharnuddin thana police have finally recorded the case filed by journalist Shimul Chowdhury four days after he was tortured allegedly by BNP activists loyal to the local lawmaker.

The case has been recorded as a criminal case, following pressure from the administration and local journalists.

On the other hand, Shimul Chowdhury, allegedly tortured in Borhanuddin in Bhola district, in an open letter to the journalist community of the country said regional daily Ajker Barta authority sacked him as staff reporter of the paper.

Shimul, joint secretary of Borhanuddin Press Club, was abducted on August 7 and tortured by BNP activists after publication of a report in Ajker Barta on alleged corruption Abdul Malek, a contractor and close aide to the local lawmaker.

Shimul's torture triggered protests by Barisal Reporters Unity, which observed programmes including a protest rally in Barisal city on August 11.