The Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ) has condemned the inclusion of six journalists as accused in cases filed over incidents where people were reportedly shot during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
In a statement issued today (26 September), CUJ President Tapan Chakraborty and General Secretary M Shamsul Islam demanded the withdrawal of the journalists’ names from the cases, which they described as harassment.
According to the journalist leaders, six journalists have been included in the list of accused in a case recently filed with the city’s Kotwali Police Station.
The accused journalists are Riaz Haider Chowdhury, special correspondent of Bangladesh Pratidin and former vice president of BFUJ; Samresh Baidya, bureau chief of Bhorer Kagoj; Saidul Islam, bureau chief of Kalbela and joint secretary of CUJ; Subol Barua, staff reporter of Protidiner Bangladesh; Partho Protim Biswas, reporter of Somoy TV, and Nayon Barua Joy, reporter of News 24.
The leaders said if there is irrefutable evidence of any crime against someone, the victim can file a specific complaint. However, the CUJ is concerned about the recurring pattern of being accused in multiple cases based on general allegations.
The leaders urged the administration to intervene immediately and relieve journalists from such false cases and harassment.
On 23 September, a case was filed with Kotwali Police Station in the city mentioning the names of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League leader Obaidul Quader, and 735 others.
The FIR stated that on 10 July, Obaidul Quader instructed Chhatra League to suppress the protesting students. Subsequently, on 16 July, leaders and activists of AL, Jubo League, Swechasebak League, Sramik League, and Chhatra League attacked and shot at the protesting students across the country.
The plaintiff, Tafhimul, was shot in the right wrist. In that case, along with former ministers, MPs, and leaders and activists of AL and its affiliated organisations, six journalists were also made accused.
