Repression on

Journalists
2009

1
 Bangladesh Federal of Union Journalists
(BFUJ)

Editor:
Ruhul Amin Gazi

Editorial Board:
Shaukat Mahmood
MA Aziz
Kamal Uddin Sabuj
Abdus Shahid
Muhammad Baker Hossain
Jahangir Feroze
Rafiq Hasan

Date of Publication:
April- 2010

Published By:
Bangladesh Federal Union of
Journalists (BFUJ)
Jatiya Press Club
18, Topkhana Road
Dhaka-1000
2
Index.......
..................4
..................6
................15
................33
................43
................56
................64
................70
................82
................95

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 Editor's Note
Democracy is yet to take deep root in
Bangladesh. As a result, the freedom of expression and
newspapers remained as allusive. The journalism which
is the main barometer for judging the standard of
democratic values in a society, often comes under attack
here.
Four journalists were killed and more than seven
hundred injured throughout the country just in a year.
The family members and off springs of the journalists
were also not spared from the repression.
Since the present Awami League government
came to power, there were incidents of journalists
repression almost everyday. As soon as this
government took over the ruling party thugs swoop on
the journalists in fascist style in many areas. They beat
up the journalists mercilessly causing serious injuries on
their bodies and some of them became cripple even.
They attacked on the houses of reporters
vandalized valuable furniture, threatened of dire
consequences and set fire on the copies of newspapers
concerned. They blasted bombs at newspapers, news
agencies and TV channels offices.
There were also incidents of kidnapping and
confining the journalists in a room for several hours. A
number of journalists including some editors received
death threats over telephone for criticizing the
government and writing against the ruling party high
ups.
Journalists were also repressed through false and
fabricated criminal cases, defamation suits and barring
from going abroad. The ministers of the government,
members of the parliament from treasury bench, district

4
and Upazila level leaders of the political coalition in
power were the main perpetrators of repression on
journalists and journalism.
A ruling party MP physically assaulted a photo-
journalists just two months after this government took
over.
Many journalists could not stay at home and had
to flee from the area in fear. Some others went hiding or
forced to leave journalism.
A number of journalists mainly reporters
resigned from the newspapers concerned as those were
highly critical of the government and ruling party thugs.
The law enforcing agencies mainly police
remained indifferent even after getting the information
of attack on the journalists. In many cases they took a
stand in favour of ruling party leaders and activists. The
police even refused to register the complaint when the
journalists went to file cases.
The journalists were fired, suspended and
transferred from the job in government organisations.
Many were given posting for punishment as they were
identified as the supporters of opposition groups.
The journalists community also raised the voices
and protested the repression by the government and
ruling party coalitions.
They brought out processions and held massive
protest rally. The victim journalists and their fellow
colleagues also organized human chain in Dhaka and
different places in the country.
Actually, there is no freedom of expression or
freedom of press in Bangladesh. The parties in power
particularly the Awami League, always try to suppress
the journalists and silence the independence voices.
This Awami League had banned all the
newspapers except four while it was in power in 1975.
5
 Observing the aggressive attitude by the ruling party
high ups this time many senior journalists expressed
concern over the situation and feared the repetition of
controlling press like in 1975.
The journalists leaders and members of civil
society observed that no government could survive
oppressing the journalists in the past and this
government would also do so if it does not stop the
repression on journalists immediately.
We, the Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ)-
the main platform of the Journalists published this
booklet to preserve the incidents of atrocities so, the
Journalists become aware & remaim alert about any
attempt to suppress the Journalists and independent
voices.

6
 Repression during the
Present Awami League Govt.
Zahed Chowhdury

At least four journalists have were killed in the last

14 months since the Awami League government came to
power on January 6, 2009. We got a list of 300 journalists
who have been victim of attack, court case and various
other repressions.
Large number of journalists have been injured
during this period. Many journalists are on the dock. Many
others are working under pressure of threats by the ruling
party cadres. There are also reports of filing cases against
more than one hundred journalists.
Besides, there were also incidents of creating
obstacles in distributing newspapers, setting fire on news
papers and its agents shop.
The police forces along with ruling party cadres are
also showed interest in repressing journalists. In many
cases the police forces themselves found out complainants
and filed cases against the journalists.
The victim journalists are: Atiqul Islam Atique,
video editor of NTV in Dhaka in February, Nurul Islam
Alias Rana- a staff reporter of Mukta Mon- a fortnightly
bringing out from Dhaka, in July, M M Ahsan Habib Bari
-executive editor of weekly Shamprotik Shomoy in August
and Abul Hasan Arif vice president of Rupganj Press Club
and a correspondent of the Daily Inquilab. All these
killings took place in Dhaka Division.
Three editors came under physical attack since the
present government came into power. Mahmudur Rahman,
7
the editor of the Amar Desh, came under attack several
times in last one year. Nurul Kabir, the editor of the New
Age and Naimul Islam Khan the editor of vernacular daily
the Amader Shomoy has been threatened.
The terrorist attacks on journalists and news papers
are still going on by the ministers, members of parliaments
and ruling party cadres throughout the country. Many
journalists left homes following the repressive measures
taken by the influential and ruling party cadres. Some
others are languishing in the jail. Some even became
crippling.
After publishing the report of taking bribe of $ 5
million by Sajeeb Wazed Joy the son of Prime minister
and energy advisor Dr. Towfiq Elahi Chowdhury in the
case of Gas Compressure purchage-- the editor of the daily
Amar Desh and the reporter concerned came under direct
attack. Some ministers also threatened them of taking
actions after publishing the news.
The ruling party men filed 25 cases against them in
different district courts to harass them. The ruling party
also tried to convince the attorney general for influencing
the court so that it rejects the bail petition by Mahmudur
Rahaman.
Like this many journalists are moving around
keeping an arrest warrant above their head. The editor of
the Amar Desh was barred from going abroad for
harassing. Later, the high court instructed the government
not to bar him from going abroad.
On February 25, a person identifying himself as
Masum threatened Nururl Kabir, the editor of the New
Age from a cell phone. He asked Nurul Kabir to refrain
from writing and speaking against terrorism and violence.
8
Other wise, Kabir and his family members would have to
face dire consequences, he threatened.
The editor of vernacular daily the Amader Shomoy
Naimul Islam Khan was also threatened of killing. The
journalists of the Amar Desh were the worst victim of
repression since the present government came to power.
The journalists of other news papers like the
Prothom Alo, the Shomokal, the Jugantor, the Naya
Diganta, Manab Zamin, The New Age, The Daily Star, the
Janakantha, the Songbad, The Independents, the Jai Jai
Din and the Bhorer Kagoj were also more or less victims
of repression.
The reporters of electronic media like Channel One,
Channel i, NTV, ATN Bangla and Diganta TV also came
under attack. The journalists of regional newspapers
published from different districts were also victims of
attack and court cases.
On investigation of journalist repression, we found
that the influentials become fire on the newspapers and
journalists concerned whenever the news of corruption,
tender manipulations and encroachments are published.
They resort to attack and court cases bringing
misery to the journalists. The culprits mainly belong to the
ruling party. They swoop on the journalists whenever any
news goes against their interest even if some of those
newspapers belong to their like minded party or group.
Some time they attack on the journalists just on the
basis of suspicion that the news may go against their
interest.
In Rajshahi University, the cadres of Bangladesh
Chatra League-the student wing of ruling Awami League
have mercilessly beaten 10 journalists while they were
9
taking snaps of beating a Shibir activist. None of the
journalists whichever group he belongs to was spared from
the attack.
This intolerance is the main accusation of the
people against the Awami league politics. They had to
give hard price for this several times in the past but never
came out from this vicious cycle.
The journalist repression by the Awami League is
not new. The previous Awami League government also
resorted repression on the journalists in fascists style. At
least 10 journalists were killed and many others were
victims of attack and torture in the South-Western region
of the country when the Awami League had come to
power in 1996.
Several thousands journalists became jobless when
the Awami League government in 1975 banned all
newspapers except four.
The Awami League cadres started repression on
journalists immediate after the national election was over
on December 29. They chopped staff reporter Foisal
Hossen of Gramer Kagoj in Jessore on December 31,
2008.
Although, there was a case filed with the police
station in this regard, the culprits are moving freely in the
locality. In January the following month, bombs were
hurled to the offices of NTV, UNB and office of Mohsin
Milon at Benapole. Milon was a correspondent of Jessore
based news paper the Lokosomaj. Fearing further attack
Milon resigned from the Lokosomaj.
Besides, in that very month, Moshiour Rahaman a
correspondent of Channel One in Benapole was

10
mercilessly beaten on broad daylight. The attackers also
took away money from him.
B M Asad, the health reporter of the Lokosomaj
was also beaten by the illegal blood traders in front of
Jessore General Hospital in presence of hundreds of
people. Police did not arrest any one even after filing
cases. In contrary, the perpetrators filed case against the
victim Asad.
Jahangir Alam Akash of Rajshahi received death
threat two times in the month of January. The threat was
given by the followers of Bangla Bhai- a prominent Jongi
(religious extremist) leader.
In Rupganj, the journalists are receiving death
threat continuously from the illegal drug traders for
publishing news related to illegal drug trade and drug
takers in the area. As a result, around 25 journalists are
spending days in lack of security and serious uncertainty.
In July, extortion cases were filed against eight
journalists.
The terrorists kidnapped Songram Sinh in Syhelt.
He was also tortured. Abdul Malek- general secretary of
Puthia municipal unit of ruling Awami League mercilessly
beat a journalist of A N B in Thrimohini area.
Al Amin Biplab- a correspondent of the Daily
Shomokal in Gafargaon in Mymensingh came under
attack. He had an altercation with Giasuddin Ahmed a
member of parliament (MP) from the area in the morning.
As a result, a group of cadres belonging to Chatra
League and Jubo League swoop on him while he was
writing a report at the Ghani Computers. The assailants
also chopped him indiscriminately. He was under
treatment for long time and became cripple.
11
 Following the incident a total of 25 journalists
lodged a general diary with the local police station seeking
the security of their lives.
In another incident, two journalists were seriously
injured as the terrorists attacked on the Press Club at Koira
in Khulna. A section of local Chatra League leaders were
behind this attack as they were angry on some news
published by those journalists.
In another incident, the president of Khulna district
Krishak League filed a defamation case against 12
journalists for the same reason.
“If you want to do journalism in Rajshahi city, you
would have to know SI Kamruzzaman. If you do not know
you are not a journalist,” arrogantly said SI Kamruzzaman
of Rajpara thana and tore up the identity card of a Rajshahi
University correspondent of the Daily Bhorer Kagoj. The
incident took place in February this year.
In July, extortion cases were filed against eight
journalists in Faridpur in consequence of publishing news.
In those cases a total of 15 were accused including Nazmul
Haq, a correspondent of the Daily Naya Diganta at
Boalmari, Reazaul Haq of the Ittefaq, Amirul Haq
Chowdhury of the Daily Destiny and Rafiqul Haq and
Monwar Hossen-managing editor and reporter of local
weekly Al Helal Respectively.
On July 5, an extortion case was filed with Kotwali
thana against Bakaul- a correspondent in Faridpur of the
daily Inquilab.
An UP chairman in Bhanga filed extortion case
against Ajoy Dash and Abdul Mannan--- Bhanga
correspondents of the Daily Prothom Alo and the Daily
Jugantor.
12
 In the same month, seven months imprisonment, Tk
five thousand fine and another six months for non
realisation of fine was awarded to Raihan Alam a
correspondent of ATN Bangla in Rani Nagar and his
accompanies Rafiqul Islam, James and Tota in a verdict
of an extortion case. There was no reference to the cause
of the incident.
There was news in a national daily about
constructing building for market encroaching river in
Golachipa in Patuakhali district. After publishing the
news, the reporter concerned was harassed various way by
the followers of local Member of Parliament. They also
filed two cases against the reporter. One of the cases was
filed alleging extortion and another alleging rape.
In spite of that the police raided the house of the
reporter and misbehaved with the family members. The
reporter concerned and his family members left the house
and fled from the area.
In consequence of that incident the ruling party
cadres also harassed a number of journalists in the area.
The police rescued the harassed journalists but expressed
inability to provide security.
Before these, there were reports of journalist’s
harassment on the news papers in Chuadanga, Jessore and
Rajshahi. In all the incidents of journalist’s harassment the
allegation was against the ruling party.
Fifteen journalists were victims of torture in South-
Western region in eight months of Mohajote government’s
rule.
‘The allegation of journalists torture by RAB’, this
was a banner headline of a national daily the Prothom Alo
on October 23.
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 The day before, a group of RAB-10 members went
to the rented house at Jatrabari of F M Masum a
correspondent of the English daily the New Age in civil
dress. They knocked the door repeatedly and asked them
to open the door.
As they delayed in opening the door, the RAB
members under the leadership of Flight Lt. Anisur
Rahman, arrested Masum and start beating him
mercilessly.
When Masum identified himself as a journalist the
RAB members became more furious. At one stage, they
tied his hand, leg and blind folded him. They also kept
drug in his house and conducted a VEDIO shooting of it
accusing him as an illegal drug trader.
Masum was released after intervention by the
higher authority of the newspaper. This was an instance of
recent activities of RAB members of arrest and torture.
On November 6, the correspondents of the Prothom
Alo, the Shomokal and Manobzamin in Bancharampur
went to gather information about illegal drug trade, they
were attacked by the drug traders and Jubo League cadres
under the leadership of Mominul Islam, labour secretary of
Upazila Awami League. The journalists were also
confined in a local shop for more than one hour. The
journalists were released after signing an agreement that
they would not write against the ASSAILANTS and illegal
drug traders.
To protest the incident the journalists held a protest
rally presided over by the president of Bancharampur
Press Club Abdul Awal.
A group of youth in the name of Chatra League and
Jubo League set fire on the coppies of the daily Jugantor
14
and the daily Amar Desh along with some other
newspapers at mission square of Lalmonirhat town. This
was published in the newspapers on November-12.
They alleged that false and fabricated news were
published in those newspapers.
Some journalists already fled Lalmonirhat town
fearing terrorists attack. The family members of those
journalists are in serious fear and anxiety.

The journalist repression:

Month wise picture
January 2009: There were a total of 10 incidents of
journalist repression. 18 journalists were victims. Out of
them 5 received death threats. Another 11 received
different types of threats. One was physically assaulted.
During this time, Songram Sinh --a senior reporter
of the daily Jugantor in Sylhet was kidnapped and tortured.
The bombs were hurled to the offices of the Daily
Inqilab, NTV, UNB, the office of Mohsin Milon at
Benapole, who is the correspondent of Jessore based The
Lokoshamaj on January-9.
On January-15, Kazi Shahjahan Sabuj and Moshiur
Rahman correspondents of Channel one and Islamic
television at Beanpole respectively were mercilessly
beaten.
On the same day, three journalists came under
attack at the Rajshahi University campus as they went to
take snap of assaulting a teacher of folklore department by
the cadres of Bangladesh Chatra League. The journalists
15
are: Sayem Sabu of the daily Jugantor, Akhando
Mohammad Zahid of the daily News Today and Asadur
Rahman of Focus Bangla.
The journalists did not get any justice though they
had submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor
containing three point demands including expulsion of the
BCL cadres from the university.
The journalists of different national newspapers and
electronic media did not get access to the Jatiya Sangsad
Bhaban on January 31, for covering the special committee
and house committee meeting of the parliament even after
showing security pass.
Asadullah Chowdhury- the deputy sergeant at arms
told the journalists that according to the directives by the
speaker no journalist would be allowed to enter into the
Songshad Bhaban in absence of parliament session.

February: A total of 30 journalists have been

repressed in 16 incidents during this month. The terrorists
shot dead Atiqul Islam Atique –the video editor of NTV.
The incident occurred at Moghbazar- the down town of
Dhaka city.
The muggers shot him in a bid to snatch his motor
bike when he was returning home from the office at night
after performing his professional duties. Besides, four
journalists were threatened of death. Another 19 received
different types of threats.
Contempt of court case was filed against one
journalist. Two faces abduction case and one was
kidnapped while two were assaulted.
The cadres of Awami League and Jubo League
beaten up Humayun Kabir- correspondent of the daily
16
Amar Desh at Motherganj Upazila on February -2. They
also snatched away his motorbike. The motor bike was,
however, returned to him. The Chatra League and Jubo
League cadres at Sharishabari in Jamalpur have beaten up
Munshi Shafiqul Islam, the correspondent of the Daily
Prothom Alo in front of some journalists.
The ruling party terrorists attacked Abdul Mannan-
a correspondent of the daily Naya Diganta at Sharsha in
Jessore on February-7. The Manobzamin correspondent
was beaten up by the ruling party cadres in the same
month.
On February-18, the assailants mercilessly beat up
B M Asad a correspondent of local newspaper The
Lokoshmaj at the gate of Jessore General Hospital. Police
did not arrest the accused in the case. Rather, the accused
went to the police station and filed a false case against
Asad.
The general secretary of Puthia Poura Unit of
Awami League Abdul Malek beat up A B M Saidur
Rahman Nazu- the crime reporter of NNB at Puthia. He
also broke down the cell phone set of Nazu and destroyed
some valuable papers and documents.

March: At least 17 journalists were subject to

torture in 13 incidents in the month. Twelve journalists
were attacked and injured in different ways. One journalist
received death threat while two were physically assaulted.
One journalist was threatened and another was
accused in a false case.
Ansar Ali- correspondent of the daily Bangla Bazar
was beaten up by the ruling party terrorists at Dhanbari
Upazila on March-13.
17
 The Jubo League cadres physically assaulted Prof.
Joynal Abedin a correspondent of the daily Ittefaq at
Gopalpur of Tangail district.

April: There were 9 incidents of journalist’s

repression during the month. 19 journalists were the
victims of those incidents. Out of them five received death
threat and 7 were attacked.
Five journalists at the Jahangir Nagar University
who were in the hit list of the Chatra League cadres have
been threatened. The members of an influential family at
Kuliarchar in Kishorganj threatened of grabbing the house
of the correspondent of the Daily Songbad.
On the other hand, the officer in-charge of Khulshi
Police Station in Chittagong lodged a general diary against
journalist as he reported on corruption and illegal activities
of police officer Enayet Karim.
On April -11, Abdullah Al Amin Biplob the
correspondent of the daily Shomokal at Gafargaon came
under attack. Biplob had an altercation with the local MP
Giasuddin Ahmed at the crossing of Maizbari at
Gafargaon at noon.
In the evening, the Chatra League musclemen of the
local MP chopped Biplob at the Upazila headquarter with
lethal weapons. Biplob first came under attack by the
Chatra League cadres when he was writing a report sitting
at Ghani computer shop. He was seriously injured by
indiscriminate chopping. He had to go for long treatment
and became a cripple person.

“I am the member of parliament from Gafargaon

for five years none would be allowed to write against me. I
18
would not spare anyone who would dare to write against
me,” declared Gisauddin.
On April-11, the proctor of Rajshahi University
Prof. Chowdhury Mohammad Zakaria sent a guideline for
the journalists to the authority of local press club. The
journalists will have to apply directly to the proctor office
for becoming a member of the Press Club; this was
mentioned in the guideline. But this is contradictory to the
constitution of the Press Club.
According to the constitution of the press club one
has to apply only to the president of the club. The students
of the university are only eligible for becoming a member.
When the journalists went to the proctor office for
discussion on the issue, the proctor threatened of canceling
the studentship of six journalists including Mahfuzur
Rahman Munshi of BSS, Ali Asgor Khokon of The Jai Jai
Din, Ershadul Bari Kornel of The Amar Desh, Monsur Ali
of the daily Dinkal and Shamsul Islam Kamrul of The
Naya Diganta.
The proctor also locked the press club on April-24.
The Rajshahi University press club which is a centre of
various cultural and literary activities is still locked even
after directives by the Supreme Court.

May: Three incidents of journalist repressions were

reported this month making 24 journalists victims of
assaults. In consequence of newspaper report, a local
Krishak League leader filed a defamation suit against 12
journalists.
In Rupganj, terrorists threatened of death to 10
journalists. On the other hand, former president Hossain

19
Muhamad Ershad lodged complaint case in Dhaka against
two journalists.
Ahammad Ali Shahin- a correspondent of the daily
JaiJai Din and Jessore based The Lokoshamaj at Sharsha
came under attack on April-13 while he was on his official
duty.
The ruling party thugs mercilessly beat him up
turning him serious injured. The police however, did not
take any case in this regard. Rather, Shahin was accused in
a false case filed by the assailants.
The Amar Desh correspondent at Dewanganj Saiful
islam was physically assaulted by the cadres of Chatra-
League and Jubo League at the Upazila headquarters on
May-13.
The Chatra League activists at Chittagong
University attacked Rashed Khan Menon- the CU
correspondent of the daily Amar Desh while he was on
duty on May-15.
The Chatra League activists led by Rakib and Sakib
beat Menon mercilessly at CU rail station. They also hit
his head by brick in a bid to kill him. As a result, cracks
developed on his head. The assailants left him thinking
dead as he fell unconscious.
The fellow journalists recovered him soaked with
blood and admitted to Chittagong Medical College
Hospital. Although Rashed filed a case with Hathazari
Police Station in this regard police could not arrest anyone.
On May-17, the terrorists attacked the residence of
Hanif Mondal a journalist of Mathabhanga newspaper at
Ramnagar in Darshana. They beat up Hanif and vandalized
valuable furniture at his house.

20
 The terrorists of Chatra League and Jubo League
also vandalized the house of Proshanta Biswas,
Alamdanga correspondent of Chuadanga based Dainik
Gramer Kagoj. The same group beaten up the Alamdanga
correspondent of the daily Borer Kagoj in the month of
July.

June: The incidents of repression were 10

victimizing 19 journalists. In this month 9 journalists were
threatened of death and 10 were injured and victims of
torture.
On June-1, there was a cultural function at Dowel
community centre organized by the daily Amar Desh. The
function was disturbed by the terrorists. The police
present at the place did not take any action to bring the
situation under control.
The staff reporter of The Amar Desh Jahirul Islam
complained to the police in this regard. At one stage, the
AASP Nizamuddin arrived on the spot with police force
and abused journalist Zahirul Islam.
He blasted Islam terming him as journalist of
(bearish) unknown newspaper. He also used slung
language while blasting the journalists. The police swoop
on him when he tried to draw the attention of police super.
Police force of 10/12 led by Nizamuddin charged
baton on Zahirul injuring him seriously. At that an angry
Nizamuddin claimed himself as one of the relatives of
prime minister. “I do not care anyone and law,” he said.
Hearing the noise, people rushed to the spot and
protested the police action. Police dragged Zahirul into the
community centre and confined him in a room.

21
 The police also forced him to sign on a white paper.
Hearing the news a group of senior journalists went to the
police and rescued Zahirul. He was sent for treatment.
At Shitakund, Chittagong, four journalists were
attacked by the ruling party supporters on June-10. The
musclemen of Mamun the son of local MP Abul Kashem
tried to take over four shipyards at the seashore at Kumira.
When the journalists went there to collect
information in this regard, the musclemen of Mamun
attacked on Pronab Bal of the Prothom Alo, Photo
journalist Rashed Mahmud, local journalist Forkan Abu
and Sekandar Hossen.
The hand of Rashed Mahmud was injured seriously
as he was hit by stick. The journalists were also threatened
of killing.
The local Awami League cadres attacked Shahinoor
Kibria, president of a faction of Boalkhali press club
during the month of Ramadan. He was physically
assaulted. He was attacked as he reported against a local
Awami League leader.
Saiful Islam Shawpon the district correspondent of
the daily Jai Jai Din in Laxmipur was injured in front of
the press club by police action.

July: Eighteen journalists have been tortured in 10

incidents. Of them Nurul Islam alias Rana a staff reporter
of fortnightly Muktamon was beaten to death by the
terrorists in Dhaka. One was assaulted by the police and
another as accused by police case.
Another 11 journalists were accused in different
cases. Three journalists were subject to attack and police

22
case while the court issued a warrant of arrest against the
editor of the daily Inqilab.
The terrorists attacked Anwar Ali Himu, the staff
correspondent of the Daily Star in Rajshahi on July-13.
The assailants attacked the office cum residence of Himu
and seriously beaten him and his wife.
Kafil Mahmud a correspondent of the daily News
Today in Khagrachari was assaulted by the activists of
Jubo league as he went to cover the public meeting of
Dipankar Talukder, a minister of the government. He was
admitted to the local hospital.
The musclemen of Awami League swoop on the
house of Selim Sardar, the editor of weekly Ishwardi and
correspondent of the daily Shomokal. The attackers also
vandalized the house. Selim fled the house for saving life.
He also filed a case with local police station.

August: Six journalists were repressed in six

incidents during this month. M M Ahsan Habib Bari, the
executive editor of weekly Shamprotik Somoy in Dhaka
was shot dead by terrorists in Gazipur.
Besides, three journalists were repressed and one
was threatened of death. The terrorists grabbed the land of
Shanchita Nizam a staff reporter of the daily Amader
Shomoy at Badda violating the Supreme Court ruling.
The terrorists hurled bombs on the house of
Shamiul Monir correspondent of The Amar Desh at
Shayamnagar on August-14, and house of Abdur Rahim –
local correspondent of The Naya Diganta at Chowgacha
on August-24.

23
 Shohag Kumar Biswash, correspondent of The
Amar Desh at Shoilkupa was injured by the attacks of
Chatra League cadres. They also attacked on his residence.
The terrorists surrounded the house of Mukurul
Islam Mintu a correspondent of The Lokoshomaj at
Chowgacha to kill him. Minto could save his life as he fled
from the house.
The terrorists led by a local Awami League leader
attacked Nurul Islam president of Cox’s Bazar Press club
and correspondent of the New Age at Chokoria on August,
29.
The attack was carried out for extortin for
constructing a building at his home. Eleven construction
workers were also injured by the attack.
On August -29 the local thugs belonging to Jubo
League beat up Khalilur Rahaman a correspondent of the
daily Shomokal and the Channel One at Netrokona when
he went to Shidhly Bazar under Kolmakanda for colleting
news.
None was arrested though a case was filed with
Kolmakanda police station.
Procession was brought out at Kustia and copies of
The Amar Desh were set on fire after publication of a
news under the headline ‘He is the godfather of the
terrorists’ in the daily Amar Desh, on August -29.

September: There were 25 occurrences of

journalists repression in the month. A total of 33 newsmen
became the victims of repression. Six journalists were
injured and two were threatened.

24
 Three journalists were sent to jail one for
harassment case and two for alleged extortion. Cases were
also filed against another two journalists alleging
extortion, rape and misappropriation of money. Five
journalists were assaulted and two were threatened of
death.
Monirul Islam Moni a correspondent of Jessore
based The Lokoshamaj resigned from the newspapers
feeling insecurity.
The cadres of Jubo League and Chatra League set
fire on the business house of Ariful Islam Dalim- a
correspondent of The Amar Desh at Chuadanga after
publishing news in The Amar Desh.
The headline of the news was Mejho Bahi and
Choto Bhai run Chuadanga.
They also burnt down the shop of The Amar Desh agent at
Chuadanga. The assailants filed a false attempt to murder
case against him with the local police station.
The terrorists also assaulted aged old father of
Dalim and his wife. They also attacked the house of
Dalim’s father in law. They did not spare even one year
old baby. Dalim had to flee from Chuadanga. The Chatra
League and Jubo League cadres continued violence against
the Prothom Alo and The Amar Desh at Chuadanga for
long16 days.
Dalim went to Chudanga court for bail but he was
rejected as the PP an APP’s vehemently opposed though
the BNP activists got it in the same case. He spent Eid
vacation in the jail as his bail petition was rejected
repeatedly.
The members of his family became very frustrated
facing such intolerable situation. The general people also
25
shed tears in sympathy observing the lamenting of his age
old mother.
The one year old son of Dalim often trembles in
fear since the attack. The relatives also become concerned
looking at his fearful face. His mother says her family has
been destroyed only for a report.
Moreover, procession was brought out in
Chuadanga and Alamdanga and the assailants threatened
of breaking down hands and legs of the correspondents of
the Prothom Alo and The Amar Desh.
At the same time the ruling party cadres attacked
the house of Shah Alam Sunny the correspondent of the
Prothom Alo at Chuadanga. He had to leave Chuadanga
with family members for Dhaka.
A case was filed against Sunny along with Dalim
accusing robbery on September-1. Two separate
defamation cases were filed against Kamrul Hasan special
correspondent of the Prothom Alo and district
correspondent Shah Alam Sunny on September-4, and 6.
The cadres of Chatra League and Jubo League
attacked and vandalized the business house of Rajib
Ahmed Kachi a correspondent of the Daily Janakantha at
Chuadanga on September-1.
They also vandalized the agent office of the
Prothom Alo. They threatened the journalists of other
news papers in Chuadanga. They could not send reports of
these violent activities due to fear.
The local Awami League leaders also created pressure on
the Press club to send letters to the head office of those
news papers for expelling the correspondent of The Amar
Desh and special correspondent of the Prothom Alo.

26
 It was, however, told that the president of the press
club and former publicity secretary of district Awami
League Ajat Malitha spontaneously sent those letters.

October: There were 15 incidents of journalist’s

repression in the month. The number of victims was 41.
This is the highest number of journalists repressed in a
single month in the year 2009. The terrorists shot dead
Abdul Hannan a journalist of the daily Rupali on October-
2. Four journalists were injured and two received death
threat. Seven were assaulted and one was harassed.
The terrorists confined two journalists in a room in
Singair, Manikganj for publishing news against them.
Besides, 22 journalists were victimized by various police
cases, compensation and general dairy with police station.
A reporter of the daily Jugantor was harassed in
Tongi for publishing news about open sell of drug. One
was attempted to murder and terrorists kidnapped Amir
Hossen a photo-journalists in Narayanganj and tried to
chop him to death over a land dispute. One was arrested in
this regard.
Abdul Hannan Akhand a journalist of the daily
Destiny was assaulted by the Jubo League cadres. In the
same month Hasan Habib a correspondent of the daily
Khabor Patra in Gaibandha was asked to leave journalism.
One the other hand, the activists of Awami league
wounded Sheikh Habibur Rahman.

November: Around 30 journalists have been

repressed in 13 incidents. Of them three were beaten by
the cadres of a local Awami League in Brahmmonbaria
while they were composing a news item on drug trade.
27
 The deputy commission of Bogra directed to file a
case against journalists for publishing news. On the other
hand, Goalm Moula Rony a member of parliament from
Patuakhali filed a defamation suit against the journalists
and editors of four national dailies this month.
On November-8, the Chatra League cadres set fire
on the offices of Jamaat-e-islami and BNP at Lalmonirhat.
This news was published in The Amar Desh on
November-9.
After that the Chatra league cadres with arms were
looking for Hasan-ul Aziz the correspondent of The Amar
Desh at Lalmonirhat.
They used abusive wards over cell phone as he was
in hiding. He lodged a general diary with Lalmonirhat
police station seeking the security of his life.
On November-12, unidentified gang send message
over cell phone to Abu Sufian the president of Chittagong
Press Club and general secretary Rashed Rouf and
threatened of bomb attack on the club.
An Upazila correspondent of a local newspaper at
hatibandha in Gaibandha was taken to a paddy field while
he was returning home after office duty by the Chattra
League cadres. He was beaten and seriously wounded. But
he did not file any case in this regard fearing safety of his
life.
In Shaghata under Gaibandha, the activists of
Chatra league assaulted Mizanur Rahman a correspondent
of The Amar Desh on Novemebr-19. Earlier, they had
threatened Moniruzzaman Bulen a journalist of the daily
Naya Diganta.

28
 The cadres of ruling party MP Major (retd) Jashim
attacked the Lalmohan Press Club. A correspondent of
Barisal Protidin at Daulat Khan in Bhola
was assaulted by a group of terrorists.

December: Twenty journalists were repressed in 13

incidents. In Rupganj, Abul Hasan Asif vice-president of
Rupganj press club and a correspondent of the daily
Inqilab were killed in sequence of a news item.
Eight came under attack and seven were victims of
police cases. Another two were beaten, one harassed
another journalist was raped in this month.
At Puthia in Rajshahi, the activists of Jubo League
kidnapped Abdul Jabbar the correspondent of the daily
Amar Desh and he was confined and tortured for five
hours. He sustained injuries. He was released after five
hours but abducted again on December-29 from the
Upazila campus. He was released after three hours. He
lodged a written complaint with Puthia police station.
A harassment case was filed in Bheramara in Kustia
against five journalists on decmber-9. The accused in the
case are: Rezaul Karim a correspondent of the Daily
Jugantor, Shah Zamal of Manobzamin, Ismail Hossain
Babu of Bhorer Kagoj, Raisul Islam Asad of the Destiny
and Abu Bakar Bishwas of the Deshbhumi published from
Kustia.
Rafiqul Islam, the correspondent of The Amar Desh
and Masud Rana of the Prothom Alo at Dhunat in Bogra
were attacked on December-17.
A group of musclemen of ruling party MP Ektramul
Karim swoop on Nurul Amin district correspondent of the

29
Amar Desh on December 18, following publication of a
series of investigative reports on Noakhali.

Nurul Amin was dragged down from a rikshaw at Maizdi

Bazar and beaten. The president of Noakhali press club
who was also in the rikshaw tried to resist the assailant’s
but was assaulted by them. The local people rescued Amin
and admitted to a local clinic.
A report alleging taking bribe of $ 5 million by
energy advisor Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and Sajeeb
Wazed Joy son of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was
published in the daily Amar Desh on December-17.
The following day, the Minister for Agricluture
Motia Chowdhury, state minister for LGRD Jahangir
Kabir Nanok and joint secretary general Mahbubul Alam
Hanif in a public meeting threatened the editor of The
Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman of not to allow him to
come out on the street.
On December-19, the reporter concerned and
special correspondent of the Amar Desh M Abdullah came
under attack at Banani. Bombs were thrown at his car
smashing glasses. He was wounded as brick petals were
also thrown to him. He jumped out of the car and gets a
running bus for saving life.
On December-31, the terrorists chopped and
wounded Foisal Hossen staff
Correspondent of Gramer Kagoj.

January-2010: Eighteen journalists were injured,

five were threatened one harassed and one faced false
cases.

30
 The Chata League Cadres mercilessly beat Harunur
Rashid Raju a correspondent of the daily Mathabhanga
published from Chuadanga on January-4.
On Januray-3, Sheikh Sirajul Islam Siraj the editor
of weekly Moumachi Kantha from Moulvibazar sadar was
harassed by the police.
The Chatra League cadres beat Rabiul a
correspondent of the daily Dinkal at Mission crossing of
Lalmonirhat town. He was admitted to Lalmonirhat Sadar
Hospital with critical condition. The family members did
not dare to file a compliant with the police due to lack of
security.
The Chatra League cadres entered into the room
number 221 at Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall of Rajshahi
University and beat Munsur Ali university correspondent
of the daily Dinkal and online news agency redtimes.com.
Seven to eight leaders and workers of BCL took
part in the attack led by Delwar Hossen, Khaled Hasana
and Imtiaz.
Protesting the attack, the working journalists at the
Rajshahi University brought out procession and gheroued
the resiedence of the VC in the night demanding arrest of
the assailants, exemplary punishment and expulsion from
the university.
The journalists also organsied a human chain and
submitted a memorandum to the VC giving an ultimatum
to 72 hours for implementing their four point demands.
Abu Zayed Kari Khan, a journalist of The Dainik
Jana Songket was wounded by Sundarganj Upazila
Shechasebak League leader Debashis Das on January 25.

31
 February-2010: Fourteen journalists have been
wounded, eight received threat and eight were harassed
this month. Two journalists were attacked and one faced
defamation case.
The activists of Chatra League physically assaulted
Arafatuzzaman a human right activist and a correspondent
of the daily Shokaler Khobar at Munshiganj.
The ruling party MP Abdur Rahman Bodi from
Teknaf filed a defamation case in Cox’s Bazar against the
editor of The Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman special
correspondent Zahed Chowdhury and publisher Hasmat
Ali. The case followed news in The Amar Desh alleging
extortion by the MP and his accompanies.

32
ODHIKAR
Freedom of
Media 2010

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 Massive Demonstration and Protest
Rally at Jatiya Press Club
Attempt to stop the voices of Media
Would be boomerang
The journalists, intellectuals, politicians and
professionals of the country expressed deep concern over
the incident of attack and cases filed by the ruling party
against the daily Amar Desh and other newspapers in a bid
to stop the voices of the media.
They warned that the result of stopping media
would not be good for the government. They observed that
if they (the government) do not refrain from this attempt it
would be boomerang for them.
Referring to the long history of the journalists in
safeguarding the country and democracy, they pointed out
that the journalists and newspapers always took a strong
position in favour of democracy and against the fascist.
The establishment of democracy can never be
possible without the independence of newspapers; they
said adding that no ruler could survive by repressing the
journalists.
How much powerful is the assailant, they would not
be able to suppress the newspapers, the speakers said.
The journalist’s society organized a massive rally in
front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the journalist’s
repression throughout the country including attack on
Mahmudur Rahman the editor of the Amar Desh,
journalist M Abdullah, setting fire on newspapers and

43
creating obstacles in distributing newspapers at different
places.
The rally was jointly organized by the Bangladesh
Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of
Journalists (DUJ).
The journalists and professionals brought out a
procession after the rally demanding stoppage of
journalist’s repression and protecting the independence of
newspapers.
Former vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and
renowned political scientist Dr. Emaj Uddin Ahmed, the
former editor of the Daily Amar Desh and editor of weekly
Ekhon Ataus Samad, the standing committee member of
BNP Dr. Khondoker Mosharraf Hossen, senior joint
secretary of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Sector
commander in freedom fighting Wing Commander (Rtd)
Hamidullah Khan, the chairman of Bangladesh Kollayan
Party Major General (Rtd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, (Bir
protik) President of Jatiya Press Club Shaukat Mahmood,
editor of the daily Amader Shomoy Naimul Islam Khan,
Editor of the New Nation Mostafa Kamal Majumder,
General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club Kamal Uddin
Sabuj, President of Jatiya Gonotatrik Party Shafiul Alam
Prodhan, Former President of Engineering Institution A N
H Akhter Hossen, President of Dhaka Union of Journalists
(DUJ) Abdus Shahid, General Secretary Mohammad
Baker Hossian, Joint Secretary General of Jatiyatabadi
Ainjiby Samity Advocate Sanaullah Mian, Co-ordinator of
Bangladesh Shikhkhak Karmachary Oikkay Parishad
Principal Selim Bhuiyan, Former President of Bangladesh
Medical Association BMA Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain, Pro-
Vice Chancellor of South Asian University Dr.
44
Mohammad Muhit, Chairman of N PP Sheikh Shawkat
Hossen Nilu, Preisdent of Economic Reporters Forum
Nazmul Ahsan, President of Chatra Dal Sultan Salahuddin
Tuku addressed the rally presided over by BFUJ president
Ruhul Amin Gazi.
Poet Abdul Hye Shikder and BFUJ leader Ahmed
Karim conducted the rally. After the rally the protesting
journalists brought out a big procession which paraded
main thoroughfare of the city and ended coming back to
the press club.
Expressing solidarity with the rally, the speakers
further said that the attack on the Amer Desh was not an
attack on a news paper virtually it was on the
independence and sovereignty of the country. The present
government wants to establish BAKSAL again after
stopping the freedom of press.
All walks of people are with the journalists. They
would give proper response by toppling this government,
the speakers said.

Prof. Dr. Emaj Uddin : The former vice-chancellor of

Dhaka University Emaj Uddin Ahmed said, I have been
saying for last three decades what I am saying this
moment. The general people of Bangladesh have a soft
corner for democracy. The first condition of democracy is
freedom of express, gathering and news paper. The rule is
that the elected government will follow the path of
democracy. The newsmen would have to be allowed to
work freely.
If there is any mistake in publishing news the
people can go to the court. But the democracy does not
give right to anyone to take law at own hands. We want
45
the democracy should be established in the country. I am
expressing solidarity with this rally. Taking law in own
hand is not democracy. I hope the government would
deeply realise all these things.

Dr. Khondoker Mosharraf Hossen: I condemn and

strongly protest the attack attempting to kill the journalist
of the daily Amardesh, said Khondoker Mosharraf Hossen
a member of BNP standing committee expressing
solidarity with the protest rally.
This is not the attack on the daily Amar Desh, this
is an attack on my country and my mother land. The attack
of this government is not new. This Awami League had
established BAKSAL in 1975, after killing democracy. It
had banned all the newspapers except four.
Because, the Awami League fears the newspapers
and newsmen. He said that the present government
violated the commitment to the people. It had promised to
provide rice at Tk 10, per KG, fertilizer free, power to
every household and one job opportunity for every family.
But it could not fulfill any pledges. But this
government had been fulfilling all the unwritten pledges it
had made with the foreign masters. This government does
not protest the issues like construction of dam at
Tipaimukh, dispute with maritime boundary and
misappropriation of mineral resources.
Rather, they attack on the Amar Desh for writing
against those issues, he observed.
He said the people including BNP supporters would
give proper response by protesting and overthrowing this
government.

46
Ataus Samad: Former Advisory editor of the Amar Desh
and prominent journalists Ataus Samad said, the near
future was not good for those who attacked on the
journalists. The present government has been attacking on
the professional journalists irrespective of party affiliation.
The journalists belonging to the Amar Desh, the
Prothom Alo, the Janakantha, the Jugantor have been
repressed. We would not have to organize this rally if the
prime minister had fulfilled her commitment of freedom of
press and newsmen in the election manifesto, he pointed
out.
The matter would have to be considered on the
basis of democracy, samad said. He said Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina came to power by seeking apology for
misdeed in the past. But she started journalist’s repression
again on the very following day.
Sheikh Hasina probably loves those who repress
journalists, the prominent journalist observed. For that
reason the loyal force (petua bahini) repress the journalist
continuously for getting more love.
Referring to the history, Samad further said, the
journalists spoke out against the emergency rule during the
unconstitutional regime after 1/11. The journalists were
also against the press note by the emergency government
on her returning home from abroad. Now they are subject
to get repressed. The journalists guarded the country
generation after generation.
The assailants can never suppress us how much
powerful they might be. The prominent journalists also
called upon the journalists to be united so they are not
mentioned as a portion of journalists.

47
Wing Commander Hamidullah Khan: The sector
commanders in the freedom fighting Wing Commander
Hamidullah Khan said, I feel proud participating in this
mass gathering. We are expressing solidarity with you.
The newspaper is the fourth state and media is the fourth
pillar of the country.
All the pillars of it suffer injuries if one pillar is hit.
Struggle against the government necessary to save from
this. The Awami League is playing with fire. This is not
good for the government.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir: The senior joint secretary

of the BNP Mirza Fakhrul islam Alamgir said how long
we will have to gather for the freedom of press. News
paper is the pillar of democracy. The pillar was attacked
repeatedly.
The journalists resisted all the attacks in the past. This time
they would be able to resist the attack inshalllah.
We are expressing solidarity on behalf of the
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Dal. We are ready to sacrifice
anything necessary.

Major General (Rtd) Ibrahim: The Chairman of

Kollayan Party Major General (Rtd) Ibrahim said, I started
writing as the journalists encouraged me. I have all
empathy and sympathy for them.
The newspapers has taken care of democracy after
1/11 in absence of the
Jatiya Songshad. I am expressing solidarity with you. The
newspapers are the voices of the people. The attempt to
stop the voices of newspapers would be boomerang. We

48
expect that the news papers and journalists would be
independent.

Shafiul Alam Prodhan: Jatiya Gonotantrik Party

President Shafiul Alam Prodhan said, I had said few days
back at the BNP council that there was a news. Within 15
days of that the news broke out. The whole country woke
up. The border was attacked. The army officers were killed
in the BDR mutiny at the Pilkhana. There is conspiracy to
sell out the country.
The Amar Desh was attacked as it protested. This
attack is not only on the daily Amar Desh rather it was on
the whole country. The attack is on the independence
sovereignty of the country. A housewife with a four years
old baby was arrested within 24 hours of attack on Tapash.
But the terrorists who attacked on the journalists of Amar
Desh was not arrested even after passing so much of time.
The government can not remain satisfied only
taking care of brothers and nephews. The people will try
this. The patriotic people will say good by to the followers
of Bakshal through united efforts, Prodhan said.

Shaukat Mahmood: President of Jatiya Press Club

Shaukat Mahmood presented the statistics of journalist
repression throughout the country since the present
government came to power. He said this type of torture
reminded us the atrocities in the past. The present
government broke all the previous records in journalist
repression.
We strongly condemn and protest these repressions.
The journalist leader also condemns the incidence of threat
by the ministers of the government in public rally to the
49
Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman after publication of
a news against joy and Toufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.
Pointing to Motia Chowdhury he said, your
husband was a journalist and editor, how come you threat
a journalist and editor? He questioned. Referring to
Jahangir Kabir Nanok, Shaukat Mahmood said, Nanok,
why have you threatened the journalists while you had
brought out processing protesting the journalist repression.
He also strongly criticised the statements of joint
secretary general of Awami League.
Shaukat Mahmood said, the Amar Desh published
the news against Joy and Toufiq Eleahi Chowdhury on
December-17 following all the rules and ethics of
journalism.
How the government allocated the job without
tender? They should say whether the governments
procurement rule allows or not.
We hope that the present government would show
respect to the rules and regulations of the democracy.
The people will raise their voices and stand beside
journalists.
The Jatiya Press Club president said the information
minister and information secretary of the present
government are the members of press club. The attack was
on one of the members of the press club. We want to see
what you do.
. Three journalists have been killed and more than two
hundreds were repressed throughout the country since the
present government came to power. Many others were
injured by the atrocities of the government. But none was
tried.

50
 Journalists were attacked at different places of the
country including Gafargaon, Gouripur, Chuadanga,
Kustia, Khulna, Golachipa, Jessore and savar.
The journalist repression started from the very
following day of the present government came to power.
He said if the news against politicians can not be published
then you should ban all the news papers like in 1975.
You should keep in mind that the establishment of
democracy can not be possible without the independence
of the news papers.

Ruhul Amin Gazi: The President of Federal Union of

Journalist Ruhul Amin Gazi said the Awami League has
been attacking on the journalists from Teknaf to Tentulia
since the following day it came into power.
They fired the journalists belonging to opposition
group from BSS, BTV, and Bangladesh Betar. These are
the signs and attitude of BAKSAL and single party rule.
We would exchange views with all political parties if the
government does not stop repressing the journalists.
We would also organize journalists rally at every
divisional head quarters and protest convention in Dhaka.
The agitation would continue till the trial of the persons
related to the attack on journalists, he declared.

Naimul Islam Khan: The Editor of Dainik Amader

Shomoy, Naimul Islam Khan said the media’s job is to
reveal the corruption, illegal activities of the
administration. It is regrettable that a minister gave threat
at a public meeting after publishing news in the Amar
Desh related to corruption by Sajeeb Wazed Joy and
Toufiq Elahi Chowdhury.
51
 After the incidence, the editors were supposed to
declare follow up action program through organizing
protest rally. It would have been a sin for the Editors
community if I had not joined this rally, he observed.

Mostafa Kamal Mojumdar: The Editor of the New

Nation Mostafa Kamal Mojumdar said government would
be benefited if news paper can work freely. The
government does many mistakes and the media expose
those mistakes which the intelligence agencies of the
government can not provide. He hoped that the
government authority would take steps regarding media on
the basis of reality.

Kamaluddin Sabuj: The general secretary of Jatiya Press

Club Kamaluddin Sabuj said we are fighting for keeping
the independence of the news papers which we had to do
in the past. The journalists fought for countryes,
sovereignty, democracy and freedom of newspapers
following the events of 1/11. We are agitating again for the
same reason in the present government’s rule.

Abdus Shahid: The President of Dhaka Union of

Journalists Abdus Shahid said, the Awami League
government and mass media can not run together. All the
newspapers except four were banned during the rule of
Awami League from 1972-74. Coming to power in 1996
again it banned four newspapers.
Coming to power this time it started journalist’s
repression again. He called upon the government to stop
journalist’s repression and keep the independence of the
newspapers.
52
Muhammad Baker Hossain: The General Secretary of
Dhaka Union of Journalists Muhammad Baker Hossain
gave the welcome address at the protest rally. He said the
repression on journalists began just the following day the
present government came to power. The Journalists were
attacked at different places including Gafargaon,
Chuadanga, and Kustia, he told the rally. We strongly
protest and condemn these attacks.

Shawkat Hossen Nilu: The President of NPP Shawtak

Hossen Nilu said today’s protest is the protest of
conscience of the whole nation. The whole nation would
resist if the journalists are attacked. The Amar Desh
published news giving a job of Tk 370 crore without
tender. After publishing this news the honest minister of
the government Motia Chowdhury threatened the editor of
the Amar Desh.
Warning the government Nilu said, the president of
America Nixon could not survive. He had to face the
Watergate scandal. You allocated this job without tender
on what basis, it is our question. Please respond.

Advocate Sanaullah Mian: The Joint Secretary General

of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum advocate Sanaullah Mian,
referring to barrister Rafiqul Haq said, the present
government proved themselves as the father of the
government after 1/11.
The freedom of express and independence of judiciary is
on the verge of ruination within one year of their rule.

53
A N H Akhter Hossen: The Former Secretary and
Engineer A N H Akhtar Hossen said, we are expressing
solidarity with this rally on behalf of the engineers society.
We are strongly protesting and condemning the attack on
engineer Mahmudur Rahman.

Selim Bhuiyan: The Coordinator of Shikkhak

Karmachary Oikkay Jote Principal Selim Bhuiyan said the
editor of the Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman speaks for
the independence and sovereignty of the country. So that
the leaders and workers of the Awami League gave
statement in aggressive language. We want to tell the
government that the threat to Mahmudur Rahman is a
threat to the professionals.

Dr. Muhit: The Vice-Chancellor of the Asian Uniersity

Dr. Muhit said it was observed in the history that the more
you repress, the more powerful will be the protest. The
truth can never be suppressed. The more repression and
violation of human right the more people will rise.

Nazmul Ahsan: President of Economic Reporter’s Forum

Nazmul Ahsan said the journalist of the Amar Desh M
Abdullah is also a member of ERF. We protest and
condemn the attack on him. Warning the government,
Ahsan said none could survive in the past by repressing
the journalists; the present government would not survive
as well.

Sultan Salahuddin Tuku: The president of Jatiyatabadi

Chatra Dal Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said the independence
of the newspapers and democracy was established in this
54
country under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur
Rahman.

The attack on the newspapers resorted by those who had

established BAKSAL through killing democracy and
banning all the news papers.
We want to say no government sustained through
torture, this government will not sustain also.
The list of the persons, who came to express
solidarity with the protest rally, is given below.
Former Secretary Barrister Haider Ali, Former Director
General of Bangladesh Television A K M Hanif, Joint
Secretary General of Jatiya Press Club Kazi Rownak
Hossen, former Student Leader Habibur Rahman Habib,
Member of Parliament Lutfur Rahman Kazal, Former
Member of Parliament Selim Reza Habib, Golam
Mostafa, Salahuddin Ahmed Helal, Former General
Secretary of Krishibid Institute Anwarun Nabi Majumder
Babla, Secretary General of Engineers Association of
Bangladesh Harun-or- Rashid, Press Secretary to the
Leader of the Opposition Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel,
Chairman of Debate for Democracy Hasan Ahmed
Chowdhury Kiron, General Secretary of BJP Abu Naser
Rahmatullah, Secretary General of NPP Advocate
Fariduzzaman Forhad, Student Leader in 1960’s and
Editor of weekly Janakatha Ibrahim Rahman, Commander
of Meghna Upazila Mukti Juddha Abbas Uddin Master,
Former General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity Ilias
Khan, Existing Finance Secretary Ashraful Islam,
Publicity and Publication Secretary Ziaul Kabir Sumon,
Former President of Dhaka Sub-Editor Council Humaun
Sadeq Chowdhury.
55
 Red Signal for Journalism
ABM Musa

The minister for information has given two

statements regarding journalism and mass media. First, the
news and program broadcasting by private television
channels would be brought under a policy guideline.
Second, the government would formulate a code of
conduct for the journalists and news papers.
The statements of the information minister did not
get wide coverage in the context of other sensational news
like bomb blast for killing Tapash, trial of Banghabondhu
murder case, threat for movement for protecting oil gas
resources, escalation of extremism and movement by the
opposition political parties.
But, in these two news in similar character, I am
getting signal of imposing control over the practice of
independent journalism and freedom of newspaper and
media. On the other hand, I did not get any sign of reaction
from the journalist society, human right groups and those
who always speak out for people’s democratic right.
They, probably, could not understand or realize the
actual meaning of the minister’s statements.
But I could realise. I am getting the sign of what the
information minister and present government’s policy
makers want to do in the name of objective journalism.
I have been hearing the necessity of policy
guideline and code of conduct for the journalists and
newsmen in the speeches of autocratic ruler and almost

56
every elected government during my movement in the
journalism arena for more than half a century.
I have the experience of incidents not only giving
advises to the journalists to be objective but also effort to
teach them by depriving and repressing. First of all I shall
go through my experiences and discuss about the nature
and character of those efforts.
I shall also explain the actual meaning of the
governments those advise since the immediate after of the
division of India in fifty’s.
I could start the discussion explaining the prevailing
situation during the long period of the British rule. But I
do not want to make this discussion lengthy through
discussing that long period.
In brief, I shall present my memory of how the ruler
of ‘independent’ country after the division of India ending
imperialistic rule wanted to control the journalists and
news papers.
Apparently, those controls came in the name of
formulating a code of conduct and teaching objectivity.
We have to remember the continuity of journalist
repression from the autocratic government to the
government ensuring democratic rule.
The history of opposition and resistance in the past
by the journalist society, readers and all related to
newspapers would also come in the discussion.
At first I shall tell you the history of the newspaper
repression by the Muslim League government in this area
particularly in East Pakistan.
In 1947 during establishment of Pakistan there was
no daily newspaper in the country. There were some
weekly newspapers bringing out from Dhaka and some
57
other district towns. The total circulation of those news
papers was a few thousands.
When the anger of people in East Pakistan started
glowing those weeklies were used for fueling in the flame
of agitation.
Although the circulations of those weeklies were
very limited, they have deep impact on the educated and
politically conscious section of the people. The ruling class
first felt the heat of that impact during language
movement.
The government imposed control over the weeklies
having limited impact. Insaf in Dhaka, Nawbelal in Sylhet,
Songram in Feny and Simanta in Chittagong were banned.
Later, the effort to control newspapers continued when a
number of dailies came into being.
The recently published the daily Pakistan Observer
and the Daily Purba Pakistan from Chittagong were
banned. Some of the editors went to jail.
In that early period any journalists society or
association to protest and resist the attack against
journalism was yet to develop in the country. But
gradually the desire for democratic values was growing
among the people of this region.
For that reason dissatisfaction was generating
among the people against the attack on independent
journalism and repression on journalists. The reason for
creating obstacles in the way of freedom of express by the
ruling circle was also becoming apparent.
After that the age of martial law came in. General
Ayub Khan later having the title of field martial declared
martial law and taken away the right of politics and
freedom of express lon of the people. By declaring martial
58
law ordinance he imposed a censorship and control over
publishing news.
The newspapers, periodicals, editors and journalists
have been contributing tactfully through the leakages of
that control in building independent people’s opinion.
They have been raising voices for establishing democracy
and basic rights of the people.
The martial law administrator formulated a black
law in the name of newspaper printing and publication
ordinance to put off those leakages after four years of
declaring martial law.
For the first time, all related to newspapers
protested the ordinance unitedly. The owners, editors and
journalists set an example of united movement. We can
term it as a renaissance in the world of newspapers and
journalists.
The martial law administrator did not cancel the
ordinance completely but had to amend a major portion
and revise it facing massive agitations. But the threat
against the journalists and journalism continued.
What was in the ordinance of newspaper printing
and publication? In the statements of minister for
information, I am hearing the repetition of the words in the
preamble of the ordinance promulgated by the autocratic
ruler.
It was mentioned in the preamble of the ordinance
that the publication of news in the newspapers can not be
uncontrolled. The Ayub regime, through some rules and
policy guidance fixed up what can be published and what
can not.
Later, a semi-government organization was formed
to formulate the rules. It was in the name of Press Council
59
which was given the right to keep a watch on the
newspapers.
The council was dissolved as the organizations of
journalists rejected the proposal.
The process of closing down the newspapers and
arresting journalists is yet to be stopped under the present
people’s safety law in the shape of special power act,
though; the power of previous ordinance has been
minimized.
Even after that the newspapers and journalists
society have been playing a courageous role against the
martial law and autocratic government facing risk.
The newspapers fueled the mass movement in 1971
in a bigger way than the limited role they played in
building awareness among the people during language
movement. The journalists had participated directly in
different movement going beyond his professional
boundary.
Then came the chapter of immediate after the
independence. In fact, this time, the journalists lost the
protesting attitude and courage to protect themselves and
the independence of journalism. In reality, one kind of
decaying started in journalism.
The activities of journalists society became
sluggish. They were trapped by the rulers and became
inactive due to peculiar loyalty to them and divisions
among themselves.
Even after that the free journalism became victim
due to showing a little originality and independent
attitudes.

60
 The self imposed some times called self censorship
which was formulated by the government created obstacle
in the freedom of express lon.
Like the British colonial rule control was imposed
on some newspapers which had tried to overcome the
obstacles in the independent country.
Bringing four newspapers under its control the
government banned all others to stop the possible
protesting voices forever. These are the old stories told
many times.
I did not make detailed repetitions. I mentioned it in
brief for continuation of the discussion. The very
interesting thing was that there was no negative reaction of
all these things among the traditionally struggling
journalists community.
They accepted all those things without any protest.
This acceptance was bad for them and for journalism. As a
result, both remained inactive after loosing resistance
power for long time during the martial law.
Following that the military power introduced new
system of controlling independent journalism. First, to
allure the journalists and second warning them. Third
physical torture and death threat. It was in the name of
‘press advice’ during president Zia’s rule.
The meaning of this press advice was follow the
right direction, otherwise face the consequences. Do not
bring harm to yourselves for nothing. The previous self
censorship and self-controlled journalism was actually
cowardliness.
The one decade of journalism passed through the
same situation and condition during the rule of General
Ershad. The journalist community started raising voices
61
gradually. They became courageous because of mass
movement against the autocracy.
They became united like the period of Ayub Khan
for getting back the freedom. The autocracy was deposed.
As the people got the taste of democracy the journalism
also achieved free environment.
But the god smiled in behind. The newspapers are
independent there is apparently no censorship. But the
journalism remained difficult and risky. The journalists
continued to be tortured and losing lives. Some of them
became cripple.
Everyone knows the details of all these things. It
was not difficult to understand that the governments had
slight support in killing and repressing the journalists.
The power stopping the voice of independence has
also taken initiative to kill the protesting allitude of the
journalists besides torturing and killing of journalists. The
journalists have been divided and politicized.
At the same time the use of old rules and
regulations for stopping the voice continued.
With all these difficulties the mass media did not
deviated from performing its duty to establish all rights of
the people. But by this time a new symptom has been
surfaced. The rising of bad elements in the ownership of
mass media.
Although the journalists are resisting or ignoring
the government’s eyebrow and repression by different
sections, the entrance of bad elements in the mass media is
creating massive obstacles in the way of journalism.
I do not know how long the journalists who want to
keep the democratic process in the government for

62
freedom of express lon and keeping the interest of the
people will survive.
Will the courageous journalists community bring
the tradition of past in the journalism through breaking
down the cycle of interest and politics in power?

** This Article was published in the vernacular daily The Prothom Alo on
October 29, 2009

63
 Journalist Torture Again!
Motiur Rahman

Recently, two journalists of the Prothoma Alo in

Chuadanga and Golachipa fled away to Dhaka along with
their family members. They directly came to the daily
Prothom Alo office. We were deeply sympathetic to them
observing the concerned faces of their wives and children.
Juirea, the ten years old daughter of Golachipa
correspondent, was yet to come out of fear even after
reaching Dhaka. She was weeping in fear after coming to
our office. She stayed in a room in Dhaka shutting the
door always. She can not forget the incident of police raid
when her father had to flee from the house in fear.
The local hoodlums of ruling party did not spare
Shah Alam a correspondent in Chuadanga only after
threatening with dire consequences, they also attacked his
house.
We are consoling, encouraging the family of these
two journalists and trying to help them but they are yet to
come out of fear.
Attacks on the houses of the journalists of the
Prothom Alo, the Janakantha, the Shomokal and the Amar
Desh in various areas of the country including Jessore,
Chuadanga, and Golachipa, continued for last 16 days.
They also looted valuable goods and vandalized properties
during the attack.
Threats and false cases were also filed against the
journalists. Some of those cases were non-bailable. We
also observed that pressure was created on a number of
journalists who expressed sympathy to the victim

64
journalists and organized human chain and other protest
programe.
We are perturbed over the prevailing situation in
the country. The journalist’s organizations and human
right bodies already condemned the incidents. These
should be stopped immediately. Otherwise, it would not
bring good for anyone. Even the government would not be
benefited.
We further observed that the members of
parliament from ruling coalition, mayors of the
municipalities, and their unruly followers are involved
with the violence against the journalists. We are yet to hear
any speech or statements by any central committee leaders
of ruling party on this issue. Some local Awami League
leaders, however, condemned the repression on journalists.
We thank them.
On the other hand, we observe that the police and
local administration are virtually doing nothing in this
regard. We had to request the high level police officials
repeatedly to send police force as houses of our journalists
were attacked. The police and local administration rather
worked in favour of the members of parliament, Upazila
chairmen and local leaders of ruling party. These are not
good signs.
We want to tell the government, administration,
parliament members from Awami League and local
leaders that we did not expect these behaviours from them.
Before coming to power, Awami League had
assured that they would not interfere in the freedom of
express and newspapers. We are not observing any
reflection of those assurances.

65
The ruling party is not keeping words
The Daily Prothom Alo published investigative
reports on various activities of Solaiman Haq Joardar- a
ruling party MP from Chuadanga Sadar constituency and
his brother mayor Reazul Islam. After publishing the
report three false and fabricated cases were filed against
Chuadanga correspondent Shah Alam. One of the cases
was non-bailable and alleged snatching. The other two
were defamation suits.
On August 11, the activists of Chatra League and
Jubo League in Chuadanga set fire on the copies of the
Prothom Alo. The activists of Chatra League brought out a
procession from the Chuadanga Government College and
attacked and vandalized the business house of Dalim
Hossen a correspondent of the Daily Amar Desh and office
of Rajib Hasan a correspondent of the Daily Janakantha.
On September-2, the Chatra League workers
attacked the house of Prothom Alo correspondent in
Chuadanga. According to witnesses, Ahad the driver of
local MP Solaiman Haq Joardar led the terrorists who
attacked with lethal weapons like sword, large chopper
(Ramda), knife and hockey stick.
Wife and son of Shah Alam fled the house from the
back door. On the other hand, the parents of Shah Alam
who stayed in the house became sick observing the
vandalism.
There was a news in the Prothom Alo on August
21; under the headline ‘Market is constructed filling the
river shore in Golachipa’. The market is constructed by
spending money from taste relief and personal fund of
local Member of Parliament by encroaching river shore,
the news says.
66
 The followers of local Awami League MP Golam
Moula Chowdhury lodged an extortion case against the
correspondent of the Prothom Alo while he was gathering
information regarding filling of local river Ronogopaldi
and leasing out the area. Police came to the house of the
Prothom Alo correspondent on that very night.
Two cases were filed against Ishrat Hossen till last
Monday, one was alleging for extortion and another for
rape and cheating. All the four cases were non-bailable.
Ishrat Hossen, the Prothom Alo correspondent in
Golachipa, fled from the area in the night of September-8
and took shelter in Dhaka after police raided his house and
harassed him. However, a false case was filed against
Isharat Hossen alleging that on Thursday afternoon he
went to Idris Boarding at old launch Ghat area and raped a
woman.
Hearing the news, the correspondents of RTV,
Bangla Vision and Diganta Television rushed to the spot
but were harassed by the activists of Chatra League at the
ferry Ghat area.
The Chatra League workers also chased Shankor
Das a Potuakhali correspondent of the Prothom Alo,
Khondoker Delwar Jalali of Channel I, and Manobzamin
correspondent Abu Zafar Khan when they went to
Golachipa.
The journalists of Patukhali Press Club organized a
human chain programe on September-11, protesting one
after another false case against the journalists and
continued harassment to them and demanding transfer of
officer in charge.
The Amar Desh also published news on the same
issue on August 27. The correspondent of Amar Desh was
67
also accused in three cases out of four filed against Isharat
Hossen.
The ruling party workers also threatened Arifur
Rahman a correspondent of the Prothom Alo of breaking
down hands and legs.
The Prothom Alo correspondent will face the
consequences if he reports against our leaders, declared the
Jubo League workers at a rally in Jessore.
The followers of Nonigopal Mondol also organized
rally and procession in Khulna against the Prothom Alo.
Besides, our Khulna correspondent Shamsuzzaman was
threatened of breaking down hands and legs.
Newsmen and newspapers came under attack and
legal action in different areas of the country as newspapers
published news against the corruption and illegal activities
of the workers and leaders of ruling party.

It was not in the manifesto

All kinds of independence of media and its free
movement would be ensured and preserved, said the
election manifesto of Awami Leauge under the headline of
flow of information in the mass media. The manifesto was
declared before the national election in 2008.
All false cases would be withdrawn against the
journalists and journalist torture, threat against them would
be stopped and real culprits would be punished after quick
trial of all the killings of journalists, the manifesto added.
But we have seen the intolerance and violent
activities of the ruling party leaders and workers within
eight months of Awami league government came to
power. They rather continued the attack and repression on
the newsmen and newspapers like previous governments.
68
 We met Syed Ashraful Islam, the minister for local
government and general secretary of ruling Awami league.
We briefed him about the attack on journalists and false
cases against the newspapers of the Prothom Alo and other
newspapers.
We also met information minister Abul Kalam
Azad and requested him to take initiative for withdrawal of
false cases and repression on journalists. We are waiting to
see what actions they take.

We would continue our mission

The Prothom Alo and journalists of the Prothom
Alo continued their courageous activities despite facing
threats during several governments in last one decade.
During these time fundamentalists and religious extremists
attacked us several times. They also conducted motivated
campaign against us.
There were many cases and several attacks on the
Prothom Alo editor, publisher and workers in different
areas of the country especially, after publishing news
regarding terrorist activities of ruling party ministers and
MPs. The Prothom Alo office in Dhaka and other areas
also came under attack.
The Prothom Alo continued independent and
objective journalism facing threats and government
pressure. As part of pressure, governments also stopped
giving advertisement in the newspaper several times.
We still say that our work would continue for
establishing the right of independent journalism and
newspaper.

** Motiur Rahman is the Editor of the Prothom Alo

69
 Repression on Journalists
Few Editorials

We welcome the cancellation of Arrest

Warrant in defamation case
(The Daily Songbad: December-10, 2009)

The draft of the Code of Criminal Procedure

(amendment) Act 2009 was approved in principle at the
regular cabinet meeting on last Monday presided over by
the Prime Minister.
In the draft, the Sections 500, 501 and 502 of
criminal code have been amended. Through the
amendment the existing rule of arresting the editor,
publisher, journalists and writers in defamation case is
going to be cancelled.
According to the draft law, summons would be
served, in defamation case instead of issuing direct arrest
warrant. The government brought the amendments after
necessary examinations.
The draft law is now under process at the ministry
concerned. The draft is expected to get final approval very
soon. It would meet a demand by the journalist community
for long. They have been demanding for long time to
cancel the existing rule of issuing arrest warrant in
defamation suit.
None of the previous governments took the issue
seriously. We welcome, as the present government took
necessary steps in this regard.
If the law is made effective, the journalists and
writers would get relief at least a little bit from the
70
unnecessary harassment. Now we expect that the
government would work for making it effective through
giving final approval to the amended law. It is necessary
for establishing the right of freedom of express.
The attempt to plunder the right of express lon in
various ways is one of the reasons for which the pillar of
democracy is so fragile in our country. Such attempts were
taken during the colonial rule.
As part of this many journalists and writers were
arrested and harassed in the name of defamation. This is
nothing but repression to the journalists. It is very
unfortunate that such a journalists repressive law remained
effective for so long time in the independent Bangladesh.
The previous governments and a section of
influentials harassed the journalists and writers and created
barriers in expressing opinion through defamation cases.
Especially, the journalists had to carry out their
professional duties with the anxiety of defamation case.
The journalists would get a relief from the anxiety of being
arrested if the new law is made effective. The journalists
would be able to work in a fearless environment.
There are a number of measures to redress if there
is a mistake in a news. A rejoinder can be sent to the
newspaper concerned. Complaint can be lodged with the
Press Council. At last, a case can be filed with the court.
These ways were open earlier and still are open. So, there
is no logic to arrest the journalist at first in the name of
defamation case.

In any way, the motive is not good of those who

want to wear a hand cuff to the journalist at first in the
name of defamation. It does not seem that they keep
71
confidence on people’s opinion. As because, it is the
people who always reject yellow journalism.
On the other hand, it is the people who respect and
keep objective journalism above despite giving hand cuff
to the journalists. There are many such instances in the
past and in every age.

Journalists are also threat

To the safety of PM!
(The Daily Songbad : January-5, 2010)

‘Journalists are also now threat to the safety of

Prime Minister’ this was the headline of news published in
a fellow news paper. It was mentioned in the news that no
security pass was issued against the journalists of 16
newspapers and media for covering two functions of
visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Chittagong on
Saturday.
Even the organizers could not issue any invitation
card against the journalists working for different national
and local newspapers due to the directives of the persons
responsible for the security of the Prime Minister.
We are demanding a clear cut explanation from the
authority concerned on the issue. It is not acceptable in a
democratic society that the journalists would not get
security pass and the organisers would not also be able to
invite them.

72
 The normal practice is that the press and
information department of the government make a list of
the journalists getting information over telephone to
different newspapers and media and send it to the special
branch of the police.
According to the rule the special branch issues the
pass in their names with photograph. This is the rule which
has been following over the years. But this is for the first
time that there was a reverse.
This time the SSF took the list from the PID and
sent it to the special branch of police after massive
deduction and scrutiny.
The list shows that the names of 16 journalists
including of the daily Songbad, the New Age, UNB,
Manobzamin the Bangladesh Observer and the Amader
Shomoy have been cut and dropped.
Government officials told unofficially in this regard
that this was done for the interest of the security.
The question is, are the journalists of 16
newspapers a threat for the security of Prime Minister?
Who defined this? On the basis of what information?
We want to know the explanation why and how the
security of the Prime Minister is hampered if the
journalists attend the function. We also want to know the
name who dropped the names of the journalists from the
list.
We think that the right to information has been
hampered as the journalists could not over the functions.
The professional image of the journalists has also been
tarnished that is not expected.

73
 We are demanding an investigation on the incidents
for revealing who, why and how this happened. We are
certainly aware of security to the Prime Minister.
The enemies of the independence and sovereignty
of the country want to stop the progress and democracy in
the country through eliminating Sheikh Hasina. In this
perspective, the authorities responsible for security of
Sheikh Hasina must remain always alert. But we can not
understand how come the journalists become threat to the
security of Prime Minister!
The Government in one hand, it is passing the right
for information act, on the other hand it is creating
obstacles in collecting information of Prime Minister’s
function, This double standard of can not be maintained.
We strongly protest this incident. The government
should take necessary steps so that this unexpected
incident does not repeat.

74
Journalist Repression
(Janakantha : December-10, 2009)

The journalists repression or torture is not new in

this country. But everyone knows that the independent
newspapers in a democratic society are very important. It
is the journalists who inform the people about the real
picture of the country through newspapers. So that they are
called soldier of the truth.
The journalists in developing countries, however,
have to often face dangers while revealing the truth. The
governments are autocratic in many of these countries.
None, the political parties in power and in opposition in
those countries has the respect for democratic values.
The powerful quarters, often, try to follow the
unethical paths for personal and political interests. In the
third world countries, the corruption in society is very
normal.
But, the lives of many journalists become risky
when they publish the corruption of the powerful quarters
in details in the newspapers. The influential quarters use
the administration particularly the police to suppress the
journalists.
In Bangladesh, they often send the journalists to jail
by filing defamation suits and using the criminal procedure
code number- 500,501 and 502. We observed serious
missus of these act during Pakistani colonial rule.
The independences of the newspapers were
severely hampered by the martial law of general Ayub
Khan in 1958. Many honest and patriotic journalists were
sent to jail. The criminal procedure act was effective even
after the independence of Bangladesh.
75
 Fortunately, the present democratic government has
taken an initiative to relax those three clauses in the act.
Since now the arrest warrant would not be issued
against the journalists after filing defamation case, this was
declared after the decision of relaxing the sections in the
cabinet meeting. Rather, the court will issue summons first
in such defamation cases.
This will not be effective only for the journalists but
also for the editors, publishers and writers as well. In the
past, we observed the misuse of Sections 500,501,502
several times.
The cabinet has taken a radical decision approving
the proposal of relaxing the sections of criminal
procedures act. After this a democratic environment would
prevail in the country.
The journalists have been demanding cancellation
of the sections of criminal procedures since the
independence of the country. It is unfortunate that none of
the previous governments accepted this logical demand of
the journalists.
After so long, the democratic government led by
Sheikh Hasina, accepted the demand of the journalists.
They have taken the decision in principle to amend three
sections of criminal procedure act.
Through this, the implementation of a long time
demand of the journalists would be possible.
The practice of literature by the poets and
litterateurs would also not be hampered by the threat of
any bad elements. They would be able to go ahead for
creative literature.

76
 Like in the colonial rule, no book probably would
be banned or no poet or writer would be arrested for
composing a poem or writing an essay.
We think, this decision of the government would
strengthen the right of express by the newspapers in
Bangladesh.

Attack on journalism
The assailants must be punished
(The Prothom Alo: September-5, 2009)

Two journalists had to flee from Chuadanga town

following the publications of news in the newspapers
regarding corruptions and terrorists activities of the
members of parliament from the treasury bench.
They got information that they would be subject of
physical torture and could be killed even. Ultimately they
attacked. A group of terrorists numbering 20-25 attacked
the residence of Shah Alam- the correspondent of the
Prothom Alo at Chuadanga on Wednesday night with
sharp leathal weapons. They, however, did not get him as
he had left the house earlier.
His wife had to save her life fleeing through the
back door of the house along with a baby child and mother
in law.

77
 The witnesses identified a former driver of local
MP among the assailants. It is clear that the forces of
(Petua bahini) local MP conducted the assault.
It was learnt that the assailants had a meeting at the
house of mayor of Chuadanga who is also a brother of
local MP before the attack. The assailants include the hired
killers.
The local police was indifferent about the attack on
the house of a journalist. They did not become active
before the directives of high officials of RAB and police
from Dhaka.
They reached the spot after the assailants
vandalized the house of the journalist and left. By this it
becomes clear that the law enforcing agencies became
inactive against the terrorists activities of ruling party MP.
The terrorists attacked and vandalized the house of
other journalists in Chuadanga on Thursday night. An
anxiety for lack of security grew among the journalists of
that town creating obstacles in performing their
professional duties.
This should not happen during the rule of the
government coming to power pledging for changing the
days. They had committed in the election manifesto that
they would take steps against terrorism.
Free flow of information, ensuring independence of
media were the written commitment of the present
government. This government passed the right of
information act. But the police do not take any action
though the terrorists attacked the house of a journalist for
publishing corruption news of a member of parliament.
What is the response of this?

78
 Not only that the steps were taken to harass the
journalists by involving them with false cases.
The names of Chuadanga correspondents of the
Prothom Alo and the daily Amar Desh were included in
the accused of a clash between BNP and Chatra League.
The allegation of robbery was brought against one of
them. Another was accused of chopping with knife.
Another case was filed for defamation.
The local police take the case even after knowing
that the accusations were false, fabricated and funny. The
main reason is that the case was filed by the followers of
local MP from the ruling party. He is likely to change
Chuadanga like Feny.
Besides, the joint office secretary of Jessore Awami
League in a public meeting threatened of ousting the
Prothom Alo correspondent from Jessore breaking down
his hands and legs. The threat follows the news in the
Prothom Alo on the general secretary of district Awami
League and Upazila Chairman.
Nothing can be harmful like this tendency for a
democratic government. We are drawing the attention of
the higher authority of the government. The images of
every government in the past have been severely tarnished
for repressing the newspapers.
The government will have to take actions to stop
this type of negative, terrorist and violent activities for not
only keeping the good image but also for protecting the
right of the people to get information.
The assailants of the house of the journalists in
Chuadanga must be arrested as well as strong actions
should be taken against those who assigned them.

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Journalist Repression
None is safe in the hands of
RAB from Bappi to Masum
(The Prothom Alo: October-27, 2009)

The atrocities of which has no limit has become the

headline of RAB controlling crime. Those who are
responsible for ensuring the security of the citizens the
have been creating a sense of insecurity among the people.
The arrest and repression on F M Masum –a
journalist of the English daily the New Age is the recent
example of irresponsible behaviour of RAB.
It is not baseless to think that Masum was tortured
with a motive even after knowing his journalist identity.
It is unthinkable that any intelligence agency can
carry out this type of activities like beating a journalist in
public and accusing him as a drug trader keeping drug
inside his residence and making video footage on it.
But this unthinkable and unprecedented incident
happened. The confidence on humanity in the society falls
apart if the difference between the behaviour of criminals
and law enforcing agencies reduces.
Nothing is left for the security of the lives of the
citizens in presence of this type of misuse of power and if
the protectors become violators.
The rule of law and democracy become
meaningless. When the incident of killing an innocent
youth Bappi in RAB crossfire was yet to end, the incident
of journalist repression revealed that hard reality.

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 In another sense this is not any isolated incident as
the journalists and newspapers were attacked during the
rule of every government in the past.
In this regard the behaviour of the criminals and
ruling quarters become similar.
Home minister Shahara Khatun regretted for the
incident terming it as unexpected. She also assured of her
accountability if there was any mistake.
Earlier, she expressed sorry in the same way when
professor Anu Muhammad was wounded by the police.
It is good as a strategy to express sorry one after
another incident but it does not reflect the ethics and
responsibility. Such regrets become meaningless if there is
no action against the culprits. We want to see appropriate
measures for punishing those who were responsible for
these incidents.

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 AHRC Report on Repression on
Two Journalists in Bangladesh
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is
concerned about the health and security of a journalist who
was extensively tortured by the Kotowali police in
Rangpur, and is now in hiding. He sustained various
injuries while being tortured in a police van, and was
arbitrarily detained, before being faced with clearly
fabricated charges and remanded without being seen by
the magistrate.
Officers threatened to kill him in a fake 'crossfire'
incident, which is a common method of extra-judicial
killing in Bangladesh. The authorities have made no
moves to investigate the allegations of torture or charge
fabrication. Other witnesses in the case also face false
charges.

CASE DETAILS:

Mr. Saidul Islam Alamgir is the district

correspondent for the state-run news agency, Bangladesh
Shangbad Shangstha (BSS) in Rangpur. According to the
information we have received, he was attacked and
tortured by police officials on 13 January after he lodged a
criminal complaint against a number of influential local
businessmen.
On 10 January 2010 Alamgir reported on the
aggressive response of trade fair staff and organisers to a
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local demonstration (regarding the use of gambling at the
fair among other issues), during which a number of the
civilians were hurt. He also lodged a complaint about it
with police.
The Kotwali police did not immediately record the
subsequent complaint as a First Information Report (FIR),
and were accused by the public of having accepted bribes
from the hosts of the trade fair; it was registered the
following morning (under Sections 143, 323, 379, 307 and
506 (B) of the Penal Code 1860).
On 12 January we are told that Mr. Abdur Rashid
Sarker, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the district police
station, phoned Mr. Saidul Islam Alamgir and asked that
the journalist visit him at his office at 9pm that evening.
The journalist arrived an hour late, and found that the OC
was at the trade fair dealing with a case of public disorder
(regarding lottery prizes which had not been awarded). Not
able to reach him, he left for home at 11:30pm.
However, on his way back the journalist was
stopped at the Jahaj Company intersection by two officers
in a police van; their faces were covered, but he recognised
them as Sub Inspector (SI) Mr. Rajendra Chandra Sheel
and SI Shariful Islam (the Second Officer of Kotwali
police station). He was manhandled into the back of the
van, where other officers beat him with their guns, sticks,
their boots and their fists.
Though all of the officers kept their faces covered
with scarves at the time of the attack, Alamgir was familiar
with the station staff through his work; he recognized SI
Mustafizur Rahman, SI Nur Alam, Havilder Abdus Sabur
and Constable Mehedi Hassan.

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 Alamgir then realised that his own nephew Mr.
Altaf Hossain (known as 'London') was also detained in
the vehicle; he appeared injured.
The police reportedly continued to torture Alamgir
between 12:15am and 1:45am while driving around the
town of Rangpur. During the ordeal, Constable Mehedi
Hassan allegedly pressed Alamgir’s throat to stop him
shouting for help, and tried to reach into his mouth to tear
out his tongue; several other officers tried to blind him by
pushing a stick into his right eye. He was told that he may
be killed in a 'crossfire' incident, and he sustained severe
injuries to his right eye, both thighs, his right hand, right
waist, both shoulders and right leg due to the beatings.
At the Kotowali police station police detained
Alamgir and his nephew in an overcrowded cell with about
35 other detainees, some linked with the case; it was soiled
with human excreta.
Though his arrest had not been explained to him, at
3:30am Alamgir was finally told by a police constable on
sentry duty that two cases were being prepared against
him. At around 4am SI Shariful Islam visited the cell with
two draft complaints containing fabricated dates and times.
To Alamgir's questions about the nature of his crime, SI
Shariful Islam reportedly responded: "Don't ask questions!
Journalism will be pushed through your anus."
At 3am that day (13 January), once news of his
detention had spread, the men's friends and neighbours
arrived to keep vigil outside the police station, concerned
that he could be killed in a fabricated 'crossfire' incident.
They were verbally abused and threatened by officers.
Among the group were Alamgir's wife Mrs. Jesmin

84
Akhter, and Mr. Shwapan Miazi, a journalist, who was
expelled from the station by the police officers.
The men were not fed in detention, and due to this
and his injuries Alamgir collapsed inside the cell that
afternoon. After repeated requests from the journalists, the
victim was allowed to leave the cell and be cleaned and
fed by his colleagues. At around 3:30pm the police
reportedly took him to the emergency department of the
Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH).
Later at 4pm some of the men, including Alamgir
and his nephew, were taken to the Judicial Magistrate's
Court of Rangpur and detained in the cell of the court
building, rather than being produced physically before the
magistrate as is legally mandated. Without examining or
observing the condition of the detainees, the magistrate
ordered him to be further detained in Rangpur Central Jail.
This was only overturned on 14 January, after a
large group of lawyers from the Rangpur District Bar
Association demanded bail for him, informing the court of
his torture and need for medical treatment; this was
granted.
Colleagues immediately took Alamgir to the
Rangpur Press Club to record the details of his ordeal,
after when he was admitted to the RMCH for treatment,
where he stayed for more than a week. Dr. Aktaruzzaman
and other medical staff have reported serious damage to
his right eye, along with other injuries, and he was referred
to Dhaka for better treatment.
The journalists of district demanded justice for the
case of torture of Alamgir in a press conference at the local
press club and a human chain on the street.

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Complaint details: Of the two cases, one (Case No. 35,
under Sections 143, 323, 379, 385, 506(B) and 115 of the
Penal Code of 1860) is for theft. It is alleged to have been
recorded at 8:50pm on 12 January 2010 and in it, a Mr. M
A Moyeen Khan (Bablu) has claimed that Alamgir and
around 20 persons forcibly entered into the circus area
near the trade fair and stole BDT 35,000 from the counter
on 10 January at 8:50pm. It was also alleged that the same
people looted BDT 122,000 from staff at the main
entrance of the trade fair that evening, and that the group
beat staff members.
The second complaint was allegedly recorded at
2:45am on 13 January (as FIR no. 37 under Sections 143,
323, 379, 335, 332 and 153 of the Penal Code 1860)
regarding looting, public violence and the obstruction of
official duties in the presence of ten police officers. SI Md.
Abdur Rahman is the complainant.
The report claims that during a clash at the trade
fair between 10pm and 11:30pm on 12 January, Alamgir
led around 35 persons in an attack on police and staff
during the announcement of the final day's lottery prizes.
The names of 13 of the 35 are filed, and the complainant
claims that a number of police personnel were injured, and
valuables worth BDT 300,000 were stolen.
The police claim that they arrested Mr. Alamgir and
other accused persons from the scene of crime.
In response to these charges Alamgir has noted that
he was at the police station between 10 and 11:30pm on 12
January and questions why, if the first case had already
been recorded, he was not arrested.
He also notes that at the time during which he was
meant to be involved in the second incident, he was sitting
86
at the police station in front of the duty officer. He also
used his cell phone to call the officer a number of times
during this period, as records can show.
Other civilians involved in the dispute in the trade
fair – some of them witness to Alamgir's alibi – have
reportedly been named in the case. Some, along with the
journalist, are currently in hiding in fear of further attacks
and fabricated charges arranged by the police.

BANGLADESH:
Police prevent a
Journalist from filing torture
Allegations against paramilitary soldiers
(31 October, 2009)

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has

learned that a team from the Rapid Action Battalion-10, a
paramilitary force involved in maintaining law and order
in Bangladesh, tortured a journalist at his house while in
their custody, and detained him for more than ten hours.
The soldiers made a fabricated video at his house
and in their office involving drugs, in an attempt to
discredit him. The police would not allow him to register a
torture complaint against his perpetrators and the
authorities have not yet taken any lawful action into this
matter.

87
Case Details:

On 22 October 2009, according to the victim and

other eyewitnesses, a (Rapid Action Battalion) RAB-10
team, in plain cloth, raided a house under the jurisdiction
of the Jatrabari police, in Dhaka. One resident, Mr. F. M.
Masum is a crime reporter for the New Age- a national
daily newspaper based in Dhaka, and lives on the second
floor.
At about 10:30am, Masum saw some plain clothed
people beating the wife of the owner of the house in front
of the building's gate. They asked him to open the gate and
he refused, but when the men identified themselves as
RAB personnel he obeyed. However the men then started
to beat him.
The battalion personnel, led by Flight Lieutenant
Anis, took him inside and started to torture him with iron
rods, wooden stick and with the blunt backside of
machetes. According to the victim they hit him on the
knees and other joints, then applied salt to the bleeding
wounds.
After about an hour they took him inside his
apartment where they reportedly produced six bottles of
Phensidyl (codeine) syrup, placed them on his bed and
videoed the display.
The battalion took him to the RAB 10 headquarters
at Dhalpur, while handcuffed. Masum begged to be
allowed his inhaler; the officer swore at him and refused.
The torture then continued at the RAB-10 office, where he
was told that he may be arranged to die in a 'crossfire'
killing.

88
 The team stuck a label on Masum's t-shirt that read
'Drug peddler' and shot more video with another batch of
drugs at the office.
In the meantime we are told that senior journalists
of the New Age contacted the battalion’s director general,
home secretary and the home minister, telling them that
the arrest was mistaken. The journalists were given
different reasons for his detention by different battalions;
some claimed Masum had been found in possession of
Pethedine, some said with Phensidyl syrup, while some
others said they found him with prostitutes. They promised
his release.
After these assurances from the battalion’s director
general, home secretary and home minister, it took four
more hours for Masum to be released at 10:30pm. The
colleagues he was released to had to sign a paper that
alleged that he had been picked up for not cooperating
with law-enforcers, but was being released.
Masum reportedly was covered in torture wounds;
his body and his feet were swollen, his eyes bloodshot.
After being admitted to Dhaka Medical College
Hospital (DMCH), physicians advised that he have a CT
scan and X-ray, with the tests run early Friday.
Masum was then discharged earlyfrom the DMCH,
at about 2:30pm although his condition was still serious.
He admitted himself to the Dhaka Community Hospital, a
private hospital, on the same day where he is being treated.
Masum told the Asian Human Rights Commission
(AHRC) that he is experiencing hearing problems in his
left ear and has serious pain in his knees, elbows,
shoulders, soles and in the back of the head.

89
 Quoting his physicians he said that his full physical
recovery may take many months, if medical treatment is
adequately provided.
On 23 October, the RAB Headquarters released a
statement which said" "RAB sincerely expresses regret for
the unwarranted incident that has taken place between
RAB personnel and journalist FM Masum of the largely-
circulated daily New Age.
RAB is looking into the matter with importance.
The RAB headquarters has formed an inquiry team and the
matter is being investigated. Punitive action will be taken
against anyone of RAB found guilty."
However Mr. Shahiduzzaman, the Chief Reporter at
the paper, told the AHRC that the Jatrabari police rejected
their attempts to register a complaint at the station on 24
October.
On 25 October the Home Minister Ms. Sahara
Khatun along with her deputy Mr. Shamsul Haque Tuku,
state minister, visited Masum at the Dhaka Community
Hospital. The Home Minister assured him that his torture
allegations will be registered, yet the Jatrabari police have
still not acted.
The only action that appears to have been taken
inside the RAB is for one man, Flight Lieutenant Anis, to
have been transferred to the Bangladesh Air Force, where
he used to serve.

Addotional Information:
Masum and his family have accused the staff of the
Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) of misconduct,
regarding his hasty treatment and discharge, and suspect
90
that they were influenced by the military connection of the
case.
The New Age, as a national daily, constantly
highlights the issues surrounding human rights abuses in
Bangladesh., with the editor, Mr. Nurul Kabir known for
his independent views, expressed in writing, televised talk-
shows and civil society meetings on the rule of law and
human rights issues. Before his torture F. M. Masum
reportedly published several articles on extrajudicial
killing.
The Asian Human Rights Commission has already
written a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteurs on
Question of Torture and Freedom of Expression and
Opinion urging their intervention into this case.

BANGLADESH:
Police prevent a
Journalist from filing torture
Allegations against paramilitary soldiers

Name of the torture victim:

1. Mr. F. M. Masum, journalist of the New Age, an
English speaking national daily newspaper; living in South
Jatrabari, Dhaka Metropolitan City
Alleged Perpetrators:

1. Mr. Anis, Flight Lieutenant of the Bangladesh Air

Force, attached to the Rapid Action Battalion-10 at the
time of the incident

91
2. Around eight other members of the Rapid Action
Battalion-10.
Date of Torture: 22 October 2009

Place of incident: The house of the victim and the office of

the RAB-10 at Dhalapur in Dhaka
I am writing to express my concern about a case in
which a team from the Rapid Action Battalion-10, tortured
a journalist and framed him for drug abuse, yet have not
yet faced any kind of investigation.
According to the information I have received on 22
October 2009 Mr. F. M. Masum - a crime reporter for the
New Age saw some plain clothed people beating the wife
of the owner of the house he lives in. As he tried to leave
the building they also proceeded to beat him.
I understand that the battalion personnel, led by
Fight Lieutenant Anis, took him inside and tortured him
with iron rods, wooden stick and with the blunt backside
of machetes, then produced and filmed six bottles of
Phensidyl (codeine) syrup in his apartment.
The battalion then continued to beat him at RAB 10
headquarters at Dhalpur, where more video footage was
taken of him and various drugs. He was told that his death
may be arranged in a 'crossfire' killing.
When senior journalists of the New Age contacted
the battalion’s director general, home secretary and the
home minister, they were given different reasons for his
detention. When he was finally released I am told that
colleagues had to sign a paper that alleged that he had been
picked up for not cooperating with law-enforcers, but was
being released 'in good health'. Yet Masum was allegedly
covered in torture wounds.
92
 He was given inaquate treatment at Dhaka Medical
College Hospital and has admitted himself to the Dhaka
Community Hospital where he is being treated, for loss of
hearing and serious pain. Despite a public statement of
RAB 'regret' and assurances from Home Minister Ms.
Sahara Khatun and her deputy Mr. Shamsul Haque Tuku,
no torture allegations have been registered by the Jatrabari
police.
The only action that appears to have been taken
inside the RAB is for one man, Flight Lieutenant Anis, to
have been transferred to the Bangladesh Air Force, where
he used to serve.
I have the question; does the home minister or the
government itself really has any control over the law-
enforcement agencies of the country? This is totally
unacceptable that the torture victims are denied to register
complaints in Bangladesh and the authorities seem to be
granting impunity to the perpetrators.
I strongly urge the Bangladeshi authorities to hold a
thorough and immediate investigation into the illegal
actions of the RAB-10, and for those proven guilty to be
justly punished according to the law and removed from
their positions. The victim must be provided with
extensive compensation and treatment for his ordeal.
The authorities have to prove that the torture of the
journalist was not an attempt to deny the freedom of
expression and opinion.
Bangladesh should urgently criminalize torture in
order to prevent the ongoing practice of brutal forms of
torture at the hands of the law-enforcing agencies. I am
aware that a bill titled "Torture and Custodial Death
(Prohibition Bill 2009)" on criminalization of torture and
93
extra judicial killings is tabled in the parliament, which
should be enacted without any delay for the sake of the
victims' access into the criminal justice system.
I trust you will take stern and prompt action into this case.

Yours sincerely,

94
 From the Foreign Media

Ruling party MP assaults

Journalist in Bangladesh
PR Log (Press Release)-Mar 15, 2009- Sara Begum
Kobori, one of the most influential members of Parliament
in Bangladesh belonging to the ruling, Bangladesh Awami
League physically assaulted Shahidul Islam Sentu, photo
journalist with vernacular newspaper Daily Shitalakkha,
published from Narayanganj district in presence of other
members of the press.
Kobori, a former cine star contested in the general
election from the constituency which belongs to her in-
laws of recently divorced third husband. Her husband
Babu Sarwar, divorced Kobori alleging her mad moral
character and extra-marital affairs with many men.
According to information, Kobori started slapping
the local photo journalist Shahidul Islam Sentu as the
newspaper he works published the news on her divorce
few months back. Right after she started slapping the
journalist, other members of her party, including several
hooligans started physically assaulting the reporter, till he
fled to save his life.
Repression of journalists have become very
common in Bangladesh, especially since the present ruling
party came in power through December 29, 2008 general
election. State patronized terror is continuing on the
members of press.

95
 It is also reported that, law enforcing agencies are
instructed by the government not to take any steps in favor
of journalists in case ruling partymen commit any offense
with the members of the press.
During the tenure of Awami League during 1996-
2001, young journalist in Feni district [150 kilometers
from the Capital city] named Tipu Sultan was mercilessly
tortured and beaten by Awami League leader Joinal Hazari
and his hang of armed hooligans. The then government led
by Sheikh Hasina did not take any action against their
party leader for such notorious brutality on the journalist.
Latest episode of repression of journalists by a
female member of the ruling party will once again put the
image of the government into question.

96