Swapan backtracks, alleges distortion of statement

Reports received from Agailjhara said, officials from the National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Special Branch of police visited the area on Saturday and inquired about the matter.

They met with local journalists and other people to know about the incident.

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On the other hand, journalists from greater Barisal at in a day-long workshop here on Friday condemned Swapan's statements and demanded an unconditional apology from him.

The workshop on 'Repression on Journalists in Southern Region and Finding Ways to Survive', jointly arranged by Barisal Reporters Unity (BRU) and Bangladesh Center for Development Journalism and Communication (BCDJC) in collaboration with DANIDA was held at Barisal BDS auditorium.

Meanwhile, Swapan in a press release available here claimed that his statement about journalists was "distorted and exaggerated". He said he only called upon the people to create awareness against "irresponsible journalism". He said he did not blame all journalists for this.

In his statement Swapan also called upon journalist to refrain from making "personal attacks" against any body in reports.

Mentionably, while addressing a gathering a Durga Puja Mandop in Agailjhara Wednesday night, Swapan, called for beating journalists if they publish 'false' and 'fabricated' news.

Swapan is also information and research secretary of ruling BNP.