Human chain demanding withdrawal of cases against journalists in Rajshahi

Rajshahi Correspondent:

The journalist community in Rajshahi has erupted in protest against the false extortion case filed against six journalists at Shah Makhdum Police Station. The Rajshahi Barendra Press Club held a human chain program at Sahebbazar Zero Point in the city at 11 am on Thursday demanding the withdrawal of the case in this incident and the removal of the OC. “Journalistic community united — if the OC is not removed, there will be a tough movement”

In addition to the Rajshahi Barendra Press Club, various organizations and their members, including the Rajshahi Divisional Press Club, Rajshahi Online Journalist Forum, Rajshahi Press Club, Photo Journalist Association Rajshahi branch, National Journalist Association Rajshahi branch, and their members, participated in the human chain. The speakers in the human chain demanded the withdrawal of the false case within the next 24 hours and the removal of the OC of Shah Makhdum Police Station. Otherwise, they warned of a strict movement.

Allegation of false case: On August 26, when journalists went to collect information about an incident involving a land auction at the Agrani Bank RDA branch in Rajshahi city, they had an argument with a fraudster, Akhtarul Islam, who claimed to be the owner of the alleged newspaper. At that time, Akhtar snatched and broke a journalist’s mobile phone and abused him in obscene language. The incident was caught on video and went viral on social media, leading to widespread criticism.

Later, when journalists wanted to file a case against the fraudster Akhtar, OC Machuma Mustari did not file a case but only took a written complaint. Then, angered by the journalists’ continuous publication of news, the OC recorded an extortion case (No. 2/2025) filed by the fraudster Akhtar at Shah Makhdum Police Station on September 2. Six journalists and a contractor were accused in the case.

The journalists accused in the case are: Ajibar Rahman, editor and publisher of ‘Rajshahir Alo’ newspaper, senior photojournalist Faisal Ahmed, RTV cameraman Ariful Haque Roni, Kaler Kantho’s multimedia correspondent Naeem Hossain, bureau chief of Ganamukti newspaper Mazharul Islam and journalist of ‘Ajaker Protyasha’ Nazmul Haque.

Fraudulent Akhter alleged that the journalists demanded 3 million taka from him. However, the video footage of the incident and the statements of eyewitnesses prove this allegation to be baseless. Fraudulent Akhter even admitted that he did not know about the case and that he filed the case under pressure from the administration. Journalists claim that this is a completely vindictive case, which is proof of the biased role of the police. Instead of taking the journalist’s case, the OC filed a case against A’League ally fraudster Akhterul Islam at the police station. Basically, the fascist OC filed this false case to save a fascist and cover up his own misdeeds. One of the accused in the case, who was in Dhaka that day, was also accused of reporting news.

The speakers at the human chain said, “Freedom of the media is a constitutionally guaranteed right. However, instead of providing security to journalists, the police have accused the victims. This is not only threatening journalists but also democracy.”
Other speakers, including Rezaul Karim, General Secretary of the Rajshahi Barendra Press Club, said, “We demand the immediate withdrawal of this false case and the removal of the OC. Otherwise, the journalist community will unite and form a strong movement.” They warned of taking action by withdrawing the OC within the next 24 hours.

Journalist leaders believe that this case has trampled on the ‘Media Workers Protection Act’ and freedom of expression. They said that such cases create pressure on the media and block the way to reveal the truth.
The human chain was addressed by Rajshahi Barendra Press Club President Shamsul Islam, Rajshahi Divisional Press Club President MA Arif, Photo Journalists Association Rajshahi branch former president and National Journalists Association Rajshahi district branch president Asaduzzaman Asad, Bangladesh Journalists Association Rajshahi metropolitan branch general secretary Mostafizur Rahman Rocky, Rajshahi Online Journalists Forum former president Mir Tofail Hossain and general secretary Sabbir Hossain Zahid, member Tanmoy Den Nath, Rajshahi Barendra Press Club member Rakibul Islam Rocky, Presidium member Liaqat Hossain, Rajshahi Press Club joint general secretary Abu Kausar Makhon, etc.