Journalists give seven-day ultimatum to withdraw Mymensingh land office nayeb accused of threatening reporters
Journalists have demanded that Abul Kalam, nayeb of the Mymensingh Sadar municipal land office, be withdrawn within seven days and face legal action. The demand follows allegations that he harassed, abused and threatened to detain and beat four journalists.
The demand was made on Friday morning (13 November) at a human chain in front of the Mymensingh Press Club. The human chain was organised by the Mymensingh district branch of the Sangbadik Nirjaton Protirodh Cell Bangladesh.
Speakers at the human chain said such behaviour by a government official towards journalists who had gone to gather information was in no way acceptable. They said the incident must be properly investigated and action taken quickly against the person responsible.
The journalists' demands include withdrawing nayeb Abul Kalam within seven days, forming a committee to investigate the incident and bringing him to justice.
The speakers said that if the demands were not met within the set time, a sit-in would be held in front of the deputy commissioner's office. They also said tougher protest programmes would be announced.
Khairul Alam Rafiq, chairman of the Sangbadik Nirjaton Protirodh Cell Bangladesh, said the movement would continue until action was taken against the nayeb who threatened to tie up and beat journalists. He demanded that Abul Kalam be removed quickly and face legal action.
Journalists from different levels in Mymensingh took part in the human chain.
Earlier, on Thursday (12 November), Abul Kalam was accused of harassing, abusing and threatening to detain four journalists who had gone to the Mymensingh Sadar municipal land office to gather information. Friday's human chain was held in protest at that incident.
