Rajshahi journalist arrested, tortured

FOCUS BANGLA journalist Shafiqul Islam being taken to a Rajshahi court yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Focus Bangla journalist Shafiqul Islam was sent to jail yesterday under Section 54 after inhuman torture.

Shafiq who also worked for Janakantha earlier, narrated his plight yesterday after he was produced before a magistrate court. He said the Rab members gave electric shock on his body and tortured for eight hours hanging him upside down at their office.

While torturing, they named Prothom Alo staff reporter Anu Mostafa, The Daily Star reporter Anwar Ali, Sangbad reporter Zahangir Alam Aakash and Janakantha photojournalist Selim Zahangir as their next target, he said.

Shafiq confessed before Rab to his involvement in the police murder of Chowbaria.

Later, he was handed over to Bagmara police Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi Jouranlists' Union brought out a protest procession in Rajshahi city before holding a rally at Shaheb Bazar. RUJ president Hasan Millat chaired the rally.

Speakers criticised Rab for harassing journalists without specific charges. The lamented saying Rab did not arrest Rajshahi University Shibir president Mahbubul Alam Salehi, a killer of Prof S Taher Ahmed.

They said the law enforcers still show favouritism towards BNP-Jamaat activists despite change in the 4-party Alliance government.

Former RUJ president Mustafizur Rahman Khan Alam, secretary Zahangir Alam Aakash, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists executive member Anu Mostafa, journalists Mahtab Chowdhury, Anwar Ali, Zabid Apu, and Sammilito Sangskritik Jote secretary Dr Sayed Shafikul Alam addressed the rally.